Man accused of breaking into Las Cruces Catholic School with gun, stealing $5K in school property

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — A man has been arrested on accusations that he broke into Las Cruces Catholic School last month while armed with a gun and stole more than $5,000 of school property, police said Thursday.

Hugo Castaneda, 39, of Las Cruces, is charged with felony counts of aggravated burglary while armed with a deadly weapon and larceny.

The burglary occurred early on the morning of April 11 and targeted two portable buildings at the school located at 1331 N. Miranda Street.

Investigators said they identified Castaneda as the man seen on surveillance video armed with a gun and arriving on a bicycle to break into the portable buildings. He also made incriminating statements in interviews with detectives, police said.

Authorities indicated the stolen items had an estimated value in excess of $5,000 and included laptop computers, projectors, webcams, disinfectant wipes, books and student supplies.

Castaneda was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on Wednesday following his arrest by a police SWAT team that served a warrant. He was being held without bond.