The La Mesa man suspected of punching and strangling his girlfriend early Sunday morning has been arrested.
Eddie Carabajal, 29, of the 200 block of Las Flores in La Mesa, N.M., is charged with one count each of aggravated battery against a household member, battery against a household member and criminal damage to property.
Shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday, May 14, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a domestic disturbance on the 1100 block of La Fonda Drive. Investigators learned that Carabajal and a 26-year-old woman who lives at this residence have been in a relationship for about 18 months.
Investigators learned that the woman was asleep, in her room, when she was awaken by Carabajal who was knocking on her window. The woman let Carabajal inside and indicated to detectives that he then consumed a “shot” of cocaine.
The woman told detectives that she fell asleep and woke up again with Carabajal straddling her, and punching her face and body. The woman’s mother heard the commotion and went into her daughter’s bedroom where she pulled Carabajal off her daughter.
Investigators learned that Carabajal then placed his hands around the 26-year-old woman’s neck and began to strangle her. That’s when the woman’s mother grabbed a small baseball bat and struck Carabajal’s back. The two women were then able to shove Carabajal out of the residence.
Carabajal is also suspected of punching a window near the front door before fleeing the property.
Carabajal turned himself in to police Tuesday evening and was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s being held on a cash-only bond set at $25,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police