By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Police arrested three men who broke into a central Las Cruces home on Sunday evening, took two rifles and a shotgun, and then leisurely returned to the scene of the crime.
Armando Rodriguez, 25, Alex Hernandez, 24, and Mario Hernandez, 20, were arrested Sunday evening. Each face charges of aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm and conspiracy.
At around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, Las Cruces Police were called to a residence on the 500 block of north San Pedro Street after the homeowner arrived and saw three men running from his house. The homeowner then discovered that his house had been burglarized. Missing from the home were a rifle and a shotgun. Another rifle, apparently dropped by the perpetrators, was found just outside the home.
Also left behind was a bicycle that was believed to be the mode of transportation for one of the suspects.
While police were at the residence, investigating the burglary, a vehicle drove by with brothers Alex and Mario Hernandez as passengers. The homeowner recognized them as the same men who ran from his residence. Police stopped the vehicle, driven by a woman, and found the homeowner's shotgun in the back seat.
A short while later, as police continued investigating the burglary, Rodriguez passed by the residence riding a bicycle. He too was recognized as being involved in the burglary and was detained by police.
All three men were transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $35,000 each.