A 59-year-old man is dead and three people are in custody following a Monday stabbing and burglary in central Las Cruces.
Angel G. Sambrano, 47, and Michelle Burchett, 31, are charged with one count each of first-degree felony murder, aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Pamela Quesada, 49, is charged with one count each of aggravated burglary and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
Shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday, June 16, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a stabbing at 241 S. Reymond St. When officers arrived they learned that George Curcie was suffering from a stab wound to his chest and sought help by walking to a neighbor’s home.
Curcie was airlifted and en route to an El Paso hospital when he suffered cardiac arrest. He was returned to Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Officers learned that Curcie was stabbed by a man named “Angel” who was accompanied by a blond woman. Witnesses told police “Angel” frequents tent city near the Community of Hope on west Amador Avenue. Officers then learned that “Angel” may be at the Imperial Sky Motel on west Picacho Avenue. A short while later officers located Angel Sambrano, along with Burchett and Quesada, at the motel. A bloody knife was also located in the motel room.
Detectives discovered that Quesada drove Sambrano and Burchett to Curcie’s home with the intent of stealing a television from the victim. Quesada apparently stayed in the vehicle while Sambrano and Burchett walked up to Curcie’s residence. Sambrano, armed with a knife, gained access to Curcie’s residence and a physical altercation between the two led to the stabbing.
Sambrano exited the residence carrying the victim’s TV. Quesada then drove Sambrano and Burchett to a residence at 1751 W. Hadley Ave. where Sambrano exchanged the TV for narcotics. The three then went back to the Imperial Sky Hotel.
Sambrano, Burchett and Quezada were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $1 million each.
Information from: Las Cruces Police