LCPD: Man pointed rifle at neighbor

Police officers in Las Cruces arrested a man accused of entering a neighbor’s home and pointing a BB gun that looked like rifle at the neighbor.

Police charged 41-year-old Thomas W. Harding, of the 1400 block of Walden Drive, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated burglary.

Police were dispatched to a home on the 1400 block of Walden Drive shortly after 12 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2018.

Investigators learned Harding knocked on the door of a neighbor with whom he had recently had a fallout.

When the neighbor answered the door, he noticed Harding armed with a black rifle. The neighbor said Harding wanted to make a peace offering but appeared to be intoxicated.

When the neighbor attempted to shut the door, Harding allegedly placed is foot in the doorway preventing the door from closing.

When the neighbor retrieving a phone to call 911, Harding allegedly entered the home and pointed the rifle at the man. Police said the neighbor called 911 and Harding went back to his residence.

Officers tried to make contact with Harding, but he initially refused to exit his home. Eventually, Harding exited the home and was taken into custody. Police located the rifle which turned out to be a BB gun.

Harding was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is being held on a $5,000 bond.