By KRWG News
Las Cruces – An 18-year-old man was arrested early this morning after Las Cruces Police officers spotted him removing computer equipment from an area elementary school.
Oscar Angel Rodriguez, of 1500 E. Madrid Ave., is charged with non-residential burglary, criminal damage to property and conspiracy. Rodriguez is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.
Charges against a second man, also believed to be involved in the burglary, are pending.
At around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to Loma Heights Elementary School at 1600 E. Madrid Ave. after an alert neighbor noticed someone removing property from the school. Officers arrived and spotted Rodriguez retrieving a computer through a broken window at the school.
Rodriguez ran from the officers but was quickly apprehended. A suspected accomplice, who was inside the school at the time officers arrived, also ran but was subsequently located at a home on San Francisco Street in Tortugas, just south of Las Cruces. That man, who is 19, has not yet been charged.
Police located two computer towers, two monitors and miscellaneous computer equipment abandoned and damaged in a field just west of the elementary school. School officials valued the computers at more than $1,000 each.
Las Cruces Police detectives are continuing their investigation.