Taco Bell customers help police arrest robbery suspect

Three Taco Bell customers, including one on a bicycle, pursued an alleged robbery suspect and reported his location to police, officials said.

Gustavo Cedeno, 41, of the 1400 block of south Espina Street, is charged with one count of robbery, a third-degree felony.

Police officers were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery at the Taco Bell restaurant at 1558 El Paseo Road at about 8 pm October 23, 2017.

Investigators learned Cedeno ordered food at the Taco Bell, and when the employee opened the register, Cedeno allegedly warned her he had a gun and demanded all of the money in the register. Cedeno allegedly left the restaurant with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

Officers learned three customers – one on a bicycle and two in a vehicle – followed Cedeno as he ran from the restaurant to an apartment on the 1400 block of South Espina Street.

The customers told police Cedeno knocked on a door and was allowed inside by a woman. Officers arrived at the apartment and took Cedeno into custody, police said.

Cedeno was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.

Las Cruces Police Spokesman Dan Trujillo emailed ABC-7 the following statement:

“We never want witnesses to put themselves in any type of danger. The best thing to do is call 911 immediately and provide the call-taker with all the relevant information. That being said, it does not appear the witnesses in this incident put themselves in danger. It appears they kept their distance and did not aggressively follow the suspect. We’re grateful for the assistance we received on this case.”