Las Cruces man held without bond on charges he stabbed police lieutenant & raped roommate

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A Las Cruces police lieutenant was stabbed and wounded Monday morning during a foot chase of a suspected rapist, authorities said.

It happened about 8:30 a.m. at a mobile home park in the 2200 block of north Alameda Boulevard.

The lieutenant, whose identity wasn't released, was being treated at Mountainview Regional Medical Center for non life-threatening injuries. Police said the stab wound was to his upper torso, above his vest and near his left armpit.

The 26-year-old man believed responsible for sexually assaulting his roommate and stabbing the lieutenant was taken into custody a short time later, police said.

Edgar Sanchez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a second-degree felony count of attempted murder; third-degree felony counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and assault with intent to commit a violent felony; and fourth-degree felony counts of false imprisonment and criminal sexual contact.

Sanchez was also facing misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. He was being held late Monday afternoon without bond.