Crime Blog | Your filter to El Paso area police blotters and court dockets

Cremated remains taken in Las Cruces burglary

From the Las Cruces Police Department:

Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects who burglarized at least two apartments during the past weekend and even took the cremated remains of a relative of one of the victims.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office took reports of at least two residential burglaries at apartments at 1513 Roadrunner Lane, just east of Las Cruces in the unincorporated county. The burglaries were reported to DASO Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, respectively.

In both burglaries the apartments appeared to have been ransacked and numerous items taken including clothes, televisions, surround sound systems, DVD players and more than 50 DVD movies. One of victims also reported the cremated ashes of his sister were taken during the burglary.

 If you have any information on the identity of the suspects involved in the residential burglaries on Roadrunner Lane you are asked to call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip via text message to LCTIPS (528477).

The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and you do not have to give your name to collect a reward.

 

UTEP Police: Vehicles burglarized in Schuster Street parking lots

News release from the UTEP Police Department:

 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Campus Crime Bulletin

Timely warnings to the UTEP campus community comply with the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

Offense: Burglary of Vehicle

Several vehicles were burglarized in the parking lots off Schuster Street on 6/3/10. Entry was made by inserting an unknown instrument in the lock and breaking it. Once inside, the perpetrator(s) stole various items from the vehicles.

Suspect Description:

Two possible suspicious vehicles could be involved:

1. Early 2000 Silver Mustang, dark tinted windows, bearing similar plates to Texas BFGX638 (this plate is not correct).
2. Chevy Suburban bearing TX DBB-890 with chrome rims and chrome fender flares.

If you have any information on this case, please contact the University Police immediately at (915)747-5611 or in person at 3118 Sun Bowl Drive- 24 hours.

Detective Armando Fonseca @ (915)747-6639 -or-Detective Earl Arbogast @ (915)747-6236

Secure Your Vehicle:

· Hide valuables - Never leave keys or valuables in plain view; ( cell-phones, computers, backpacks, purses, i-pods, garage door opener or money) Don't leave the registration or title in your vehicle

· Lock your car - always close all windows and sunroofs completely and lock your trunk, hatchback or tailgate. Invest in a car alarm and use it correctly.

· Take your keys - never leave your keys in your car

· Report suspicious activities or person(s) to University Police immediately. Dial 9-1-1 or (915) 747-5611

Park Safely:

· Park in a well-lighted area

· Check to see that your vehicle is visible to other pedestrian and vehicle traffic

· Avoid parking in alleys

· If you drive a small car, avoid parking between large cars and trucks

· Use the "Buddy System" when walking alone at night

For more information, call The University of Texas at El Paso Police Department at (915)747-5611.

Las Cruces man allegedly breaks into pharmacy, hides in closet of nearby home

LAS CRUCES - One Las Cruces resident got a rude awakening Sunday morning - before the coffee had even been made.

Responding to a burglar alarm activated at the Family Pharmacy at 1205 S. Solano Drive before 7 a.m. Sunday, Las Cruces police spotted a man inside the pharmacy and began to pursue him.

Read more from the Las Cruces Sun-News

Thief with a conscience replaces stolen car wheels with worn tires

AP

LANCASTER, Pa.—Police said a central Pennsylvania thief who stole the wheels off a car was nice enough to replace them—albeit with worn tires. Police in Lancaster said the thief broke a car window overnight Sunday and stole the car's stereo and GPS unit along with the wheels. The thief took the time to replace the pilfered rims with other wheels and four worn tires.

Police estimate the loss at $850.

Las Cruces police: Honda Civic owner finds half-naked man in car's back seat

From Las Cruces Police Department news release:

Las Cruces Police arrested a man after a car owner discovered him partially clothed and hiding in the back seat of his car.

Austin Horries Purifoy, 18, of the 2700 block of Ridgeway Court, is charged with one count each of burglary of a vehicle and criminal damage to property.

Shortly before 12:30 a.m. March 11, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to a business on the 2100 block of north Main Street where the owner of a 2001 Honda Civic was leaving work and found a man in his vehicle. The victim told officers that he unlocked his car door and saw a man, with his pants and underwear pulled down, in the back seat.

The victim told officers that the man pulled up his pants and then left the area running westbound on Madrid Avenue. The victim noticed that the front, passenger-side window of his car was broken and found feces on the rear floorboard.

A few minutes later a Las Cruces Police officer located the suspect, identified as Purifoy, walking near a ditch behind a business. Purifoy was taken into custody and subsequently arrested.

Officers also found damage to a window of a nearby business. Shoe prints near the broken window matched the footwear worn by Purifoy.

Purifoy was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $6,000.