Las Cruces murder fugitive found hiding in warehouse in Juarez is ordered held without bond
UPDATE, May 10: A district court judge Monday ordered that a Las Cruces murder fugitive captured hiding in a Juarez warehouse last month be held without bond until his trial.
Judge Conrad Perea ruled that 32-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez posed a danger to the community if granted bail and released. He will remain in the Doña Ana County Detention Center awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege Rodriguez was seen with a handgun fatally shooting Ramon Archuleta at least 3 times during an argument in late March at an apartment at 1907 W. Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces.
At the time of the deadly shooting, prosecutors said Rodriguez had been out on bond on a variety of pending charges including aggravated battery and assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence, armed robbery, conspiracy and kidnapping.
UPDATE, April 28: Authorities said a fugitive wanted for a Las Cruces murder a month ago has been taken into custody across the U.S. border in Mexico.
Alfonso Rodriguez, 32, is facing felony murder and evidence tampering charges in the March 28 shooting death of 37-year-old Ramon Archuleta on west Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces.
U.S. Marshals found Rodriguez hiding in an abandoned warehouse in Ciudad Juarez, authorities indicated.
UPDATE, March 30: Crime Stoppers on Tuesday announced a reward of up to $2,000 for help in locating the suspect in a deadly weekend shooting in Las Cruces.
Police identified the man being sought as 32-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez.
Authorities asked that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rodriguez to immediately call 911. Officials said tips could also be provided anonymously by calling Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
ORIGINAL REPORT, March 28 & 29: LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The Las Cruces Police Department on Monday identified a man killed in a weekend shooting as 37-year-old Ramon Archuleta.
Police said officers found his body while conducting a welfare check at 1907 W. Picacho Avenue around 1 a.m. Sunday.
Officers said they found Archuleta dead of a gunshot wound on the ground outside of an apartment.
Investigators indicated they believe Archuleta got into a fight with another man who then pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot.
Police said the gunman fled to a nearby apartment. Police surrounded the area and tried to call him out. A SWAT team later entered the apartment but could not find the gunman - who remained on the loose Monday, officials said.
Police have not identified the gunman but did ask that anyone with information about the shooting to call them at (575) 526-0795.
