Las Cruces schools sheltered in place as police chased suspect Tuesday morning

Update: The Las Cruces Police Department provided ABC-7 with the following statement on the arrest of the suspect.

"The man believed to be responsible for the large police presence on the city’s East Mesa, and the shelter-in-place at area schools, was arrested Tuesday morning.

The suspect is identified as Alexander Ray Madrid, 31, of Las Cruces. He is charged with a felony count of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

About 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a stolen Ford F250 pickup. Before officers could locate the vehicle, they learned that the stolen vehicle had crashed, twice, on dirt roads near north Jornada Road and Engler Road.

After the second crash, and as police approached, the suspect fled into an undeveloped area prompting police to search for him. Police initially believed the suspect may be armed with a handgun that was stored inside the pickup.

Las Cruces police deployed multiple assets, including drone units and K-9 teams, to locate the suspect. Though there were no direct threats to area schools, they were placed on a modified shelter-in-place out of an abundance of caution.

The suspect, later identified as Madrid, was located and taken into custody shortly after 9:30 a.m. near Mesa Grande Boulevard and Peachtree Hill Road. Police ultimately located the gun still inside the truck.

Madrid is initially being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center."

Las Cruces Police Department

Update: The shelter in place measures have since been lifted.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces Public Schools put Sunrise Elementary, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Highland Elementary, Monte Vista Elementary, and Mesa Middle School students on lockdown as they arrived this morning.

A Las Cruces Police spokesperson tells ABC-7 that a man allegedly crashed a stolen car and ran away, possibly armed, near the schools. The officials say the "active crime scene" is located on North Highway 70, south of Peach Tree near Jornada Road.

A LCPS spokesperson provided ABC-7 with the message sent out to parents Tuesday morning.

"An early morning situation on the East Mesa has prompted police presence near several of our schools. At the advisement of police, students will be sheltering in place as they arrive this morning. We will keep you updated as we get more information."

Las Cruces Public Schools