Las Cruces teen found guilty of gun store burglary

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of five felonies in connection with a gun shop burglary in Las Cruces, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

In November 2025, six teens used a stolen Kia Forte to smash through Strykers Shooting World, according to the district attorney's office. They stole nine handguns, two rifles and a shot gun.

After a three-day trial and seven-hour deliberation, a jury returned a mixed verdict for Adan Delgado, one of the involved teens.

The district attorney's office said Delgado is guilty of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges. However, he's acquitted of larceny and a separate vehicle theft charge.

The judge declared a mistrial for the two remaining felony counts of aggravated burglary and larceny.

Delgado never entered Strykers, but he planned the burglary, according to the district attorney's office. It also said he helped facilitate the theft of a vehicle the group used during the break-in.

“Adan Delgado knew what he was doing,” said Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macias.  “He knew the intent and directly contributed to putting more guns into this community.”

Surveillance video showed the group leaving the store in another stolen car, a Kia Rio, the district attorney's office said.

Police found a class schedule belonging to one of the involved teens, which helped investigators find and arrest them.

The group caused $20,000 in damage to the store and stole $15,000 worth of weapons. They also totaled one of the stolen cars -- which cost an estimated $18,000 in damage, the district attorney's office said. The debt went to the car's owner.

“They couldn’t have done this without the help of Adan Delgado,” said Macias. “This is one step toward justice in this case. Our office intends to hold all the teenage defendants involved accountable.”

An amenability hearing will be scheduled before sentencing for Delgado.

Three other defendants are awaiting trial.