The subject of Saturday’s hours-long SWAT callout on Rio Arriza Loop was taken into custody later that evening at a different location, and not before he resisted lawful commands from officers.
Joe Villalba, 46, is charged with one count of aggravated battery against a household member that caused great bodily harm and one count of resisting an officer. The aggravated battery charged, a third-degree felony, is for the domestic incident that preceded Saturday’s SWAT callout.
Las Cruces Police detectives learned that Villalba and his 45-year-old girlfriend had been in an argument Saturday, Nov. 28, and the woman was preparing to leave their residence on the 3000 block of Rio Arriza Loop. At around 2 p.m. Villalba is suspected of throwing a beer can at the woman and then punching her with a closed fist.
As the woman tried to protect herself, Villalba is alleged to have kicked and punched her several more times.
The woman was able to escape the residence and went to the home of a neighbor who called 911. The woman suffered injuries to her head and face, and was transported to an area hospital. Her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Police initially received information that Villalba remained inside the home. Officers set up a perimeter and attempted to make contact with Villalba but to no avail. LCPD’s Hostage Negotiation and SWAT teams were activated for the subject who was believed to be barricaded inside the home. After obtaining a warrant to enter the man’s home officers discovered he was not there.
A warrant was issued for Villalba’s arrest and he was located late Saturday evening at a relative’s home on the 900 block of Mormon Place. Officers gave Villalba several verbal commands but he refused to comply. Officers eventually used non-lethal force to take Villalba into custody.
Villalba was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $25,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police