Border Patrol agent interrupts armed robbery, detains suspects for deputies

Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies say a Border Patrol agent who stopped at a Las Cruces convenience store for a cup of coffee interrupted a robbery in progress and held the two suspects until deputies arrived.

The robbery allegedly happened just after midnight Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Pic Quik near Picacho and Shalem Colony Trail.

Detectives said the agent walked into the store just as the robbery was taking place. Two suspects, later identified as 19-year-old Andrew Chavez and 18-year-old Alyssa Chavez, were allegedly pointing a gun at the cashier, investigators said.

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Witnesses said the couple allegedly warned them they “had 30 seconds to empty the cash register.”

The agent, who is not being identified, was able to secure both Andrew Chavez and Alyssa Chavez until deputies arrived.

Andrew Chavez and Alyssa Chavez are being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center on one charge each of armed robbery.

No injuries were reported during the foiled robbery, officials said.