By KRWG News
Las Cruces – A man driving a stolen car was arrested for a Thursday evening armed robbery of an elderly couple in west Las Cruces.
Guillermo Contreras III, 21, is charged with armed robbery, tampering with evidence, and receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle.
At around 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Las Cruces Police were called to the Walgreens store on west Picacho Avenue where a 71-year-old man and his wife were robbed, at gunpoint, by a man who had followed them to that location.
Police learned that a man, later identified as Contreras, was driving a silver car and was aggressively following a couple who pulled into the Walgreens parking lot. Contreras approached the couple who were sitting in their vehicle and threatened them with a shotgun. The 71-year-old male victim grabbed the barrel of the shotgun and a struggle for the gun ensued between he and Contreras.
Contreras maintained control of the shotgun and demanded money from the couple. After taking approximately $20 from the couple, Contreras left the area and witness called 911.
Contreras was located a short while later at a home on Medina Court. He was taken into custody without further incident and the shotgun investigators believe he used in the armed robbery was found inside the residence. The silver 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, which had previously been reported stolen, was parked in front of the residence.
Contreras was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $50,000.