Las Cruces police offer $2,000 reward for tips in homicide of teen found dead in crashed car

UPDATE: Las Cruces police on Monday announced a $2,000 Crime Stoppers reward to help solve last week's suspicious death that they now say has been ruled a homicide by the state medical investigator.

The victim was identified by police as 18-year-old Jacob Daniel Becerra, who was discovered dead after his car crashed into a light pole at Farney Lane and West Park Drive.

Police still did not disclose a cause of death, but prior unconfirmed reports last week suggested Becerra had been shot.

Authorities asked anyone with information on his death to contact police at (575) 526-0795 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

ORIGINAL REPORT: LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Las Cruces police worked late into the night investigating a death they said occurred Thursday evening at the intersection of Farney Lane and West Park Drive.

The announcement of the suspicious death came in a social media post, where police provided no further details.

While authorities did not describe the circumstances surrounding the death, the Las Cruces Sun News earlier reported that a traffic collision had occurred in that same location - with a car crashing into brick wall near Frenger Park.

In a brief video statement given by a public information officer about the crash, he too offered no details - and, at the time, couldn't immediately confirm the death that was later announced.

The LCPD did not comment on unconfirmed reports that the individual found dead in the car crash had also suffered a gunshot wound.

In their late night social media post (which you can view below), police said the investigation was ongoing and asked anyone who might have information about the death to call 911 or contact investigators at (575) 526-0795.