Las Cruces Police arrested a man suspected of duct-taping his girlfriend in a hotel room Tuesday afternoon, and stealing her ATM debit card and cell phone.
Wesley James Webb, 28, is charged with one count each of robbery, false imprisonment, battery against a household member and tampering with evidence.
At around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, the front desk clerk at the Super 8 hotel at 245 La Posada Lane received a phone call from a room rented to a 27-year-old woman. According to the hotel clerk, the woman was screaming for help and claiming that she was in some type of trouble.
The clerk went to the woman’s room, opened the door and observed the woman with duct tape around her legs, wrists and on her neck. The clerk helped free the woman before calling 911.
Las Cruces Police investigators learned that Webb and the woman were involved in an on and off relationship and had spent the previous night together at a north Main Street motel. On Tuesday the woman received a financial aid check but told investigators that Webb appeared to be overly interested in it.
The woman told investigators that she deposited the check and rented a room at the Super 8.
Investigators learned that shortly after the woman checked into the hotel, Webb arrived and began asking for money or her ATM card. Investigators believe that when the woman refused to provide either, Webb bound the woman’s hands and legs with duct tape, and then demanded her ATM card and its personal identification number.
After obtaining both, the man placed duct tape over the woman’s mouth and left the room. Investigators believe Webb tried to use the ATM card but was unsuccessful. Police located and detained Webb a short distance from the hotel.
The 27-year-old woman appeared to have some injuries but declined medical attention.
Webb was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.
Information from Las Cruces