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Las Cruces Police Arrest Man Accused Of Making Threats With An Assault Rifle

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested a man accused of making threats with an assault rifle early Wednesday morning.

Joshua Leonard Sanchez, 27, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sanchez was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $15,000.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, Las Cruces Police were called to the 1300 block of Anasazi Court where the incident occurred. Police learned that the three victims - two men and a woman - were having a party when they began receiving intimidating text messages and phone calls from the cell phone of a woman who had just left the gathering.

Police later learned that the text messages and phone calls were from Sanchez, the boyfriend of the woman who had been at the party.

At around 2 a.m. the victims received a call from Sanchez who said he was outside their residence. Those at the party went outside to confront Sanchez who exited the passenger-side of a Volkswagen Beetle and pointed an assault rifle at them.

The three victims quickly ran inside the home and Sanchez left the area in the Volkswagen. The victims called 911 to report the incident and the suspect was identified as Sanchez.

Las Cruces Police located Sanchez at his residence where he was taken into custody. The assault rifle believed to be used also was located at Sanchez's home.

Additional evidence has been turned over to the District Attorney's office for review and to determine whether charges will be filed against the two individuals who accompanied Sanchez in the Volkswagen.