Affidavit: Woman left child inside running car; man steals car with child inside

A Las Cruces man is in custody after he allegedly stole a parked vehicle from a gas station, which he later realized contained a 4-year-old child in the back seat.

A criminal complaint filed by the Las Cruces Police Department states 22-year-old Christopher Orozco has been charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, following an incident that took place on November 4th, 2018.

According to the complaint, Police were notified of an alleged kidnapping at a Pic Quik convenience store on the 2000 block of Bataan Memorial in Las Cruces.

Once there, a woman identified in court documents as Veronica Moreno reportedly told police she had left her car unlocked and running. Moreno told police the car was stolen while she was inside the store.

Moreno’s 4-year-old daughter was allegedly inside the vehicle at the time it was taken, the court documents state.

Las Cruces Police issued an alert for the missing child, later found unharmed at a Valero gas station on North Main.

The complaint further states police spotted Orozco driving the stolen vehicle down Mars Avuenue and Mercury Lane. As the officer approached, Orozco allegedly stepped away from the car and was immediately detained.

Another officer following the stolen vehicle, which the complaint says continued moving after Orozco’s exit, eventually stopped it at the 3200 block of Venus. At this point, the vehicle allegedly rolled backward into the patrol car.

Two occupants inside the vehicle, which the criminal complaint identifies as Sammy Valdez and Marlene Aguirre, were taken into custody.

According to the complaint, Orozco was identified as the suspect after police connected him to an individual shown allegedly entering the stolen vehicle on surveillance footage.

The complaint goes on to say Orozco told police he allegedly drove to the Valero gas station after he realized the little girl was inside, where he ordered the child to get out.

No charges in the complaint were shown for Valdez or Aguirre.

Orozco was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center after his arrest.