A man suspected of burglarizing a home Thursday tried running from police and punched an officer several times before he was taken into custody.
Cesar Israel Herrera, 25, is charged with one count each of residential burglary; battery upon a peace officer; and evading or obstructing an officer. Herrera also had three outstanding warrants for his arrest.
At around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, a Las Cruces Police officer was on routine patrol when he noticed suspicious activity at a home on the 2300 block of Sambrano Avenue. The officer began speaking with Herrera, who emerged from an open garage door, when he attempted to run away leading the officer on a brief foot pursuit.
The officer caught up with Herrera on Graham Street and tried to take the suspect into custody, but Herrera punched the officer and continued running away. The officer again caught up with Herrera on the 2300 block of Nevada Avenue and successfully took him into custody.
The officer received bruising to his face, neck and arms but was not seriously injured. Herrera was treated for his injuries at Memorial Medical Center and released Thursday evening.
Officers later determined that Herrera had burglarized the home on Sambrano Avenue. Herrera was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.
Information from Las Cruces Police