A man suspected of physically assaulting and disarming his neighbor during a Sunday evening dispute was arrested by Las Cruces Police.
John Hamilton, 46, is charged with one count each of robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence and battery.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the 3900 block of Saddle Fork Court where witnesses were reporting an affray between two men. Officers arrived and learned that Hamilton and a 61-year-old neighbor were discussing the possible sale of a car when Hamilton became upset with what he considered a low-ball offer.
Police learned that the neighbor began to walk away when Hamilton is alleged to have struck him, knocking the 61-year-old to the ground. Hamilton is then alleged to have disarmed the man who was legally carrying a holstered sidearm.
Police believe Hamilton then struck and kicked the neighbor multiple times while armed with the handgun.
The 61-year-old man’s injuries were not life-threatening.
Hamilton is then believed to have returned to his home where he hid the neighbor’s handgun in a bedroom. Police subsequently recovered the 61-year-old’s .40 caliber handgun in Hamilton’s home and took Hamilton into custody.
Hamilton was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police