Las Cruces Police arrested a pair of convicted felons suspected of using a stolen firearm during a late-night assault at a local motel.
Robert N. Sprague, 23, and Thomas Michael Bowyer, 22, are both charged with one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon, violating terms of probation and conspiracy. Sprague also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of tampering with evidence.
Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, July 16, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of an assault at the Bruce Motel at 800 S. Main St. Officers learned that two men were in one of the motel rooms when they heard a knock on the door. One of the men opened the door and saw two men, one armed with a shotgun, outside.
A few words were exchanged before the men inside the motel room tried to close the door. As they tried closing the door, Sprague pointed the shotgun inside the room threatening the two victims.
Sprague and Bowyer then left the motel, heading southbound on Main Street.
Las Cruces Police officers responded to a 911 call from the motel and spotted Sprague and Bowyer on Main Street. Sprague was quickly detained but Bowyer took off running from the officers. Bowyer was located about an hour later as he walked in the vicinity of Melendres Street and Amador Avenue.
Officers located the shotgun Sprague is suspected of trying to hide. Detectives learned that it had been reported as stolen earlier this year.
Sprague and Bowyer were both booked, without bond, into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Information from Las Cruces Police