Las Cruces Police arrested a man suspected of forcing his way into his ex-wife’s apartment and holding the woman against her will Thursday evening.
Edward B. Martinez, 24, of the 1500 block of La Fonda, is charged with one count each of false imprisonment, battery against a household member and interference with communications.
At around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the 24-year-old woman’s apartment, at 930 E. Boutz Rd., after neighbors heard screaming. Officers arrived and knocked on the apartment door, only to hear screaming inside the apartment.
Officers kicked the door open and found Martinez holding the woman against her will. He also was in possession of her cell phone which he had taken away from her.
During the course of their investigation, detectives learned that Martinez called the woman and lured her outdoors before forcing his way into the apartment. The woman locked herself into a bathroom but Martinez kicked-in the door and took away her cell phone.
Detectives discovered that when officers arrived and announced their presence at the front door, Martinez placed his hand over the woman’s mouth in an attempt to keep her from screaming.
Martinez also battered the woman during the incident. Her injuries were not life-threatening.
Martinez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.
Information from Las Cruces Police