Pat Garrett Marker

The city of Las Cruces is considering the approval of a 1,703.9 acre subdivision on the East Mesa south of Hwy 70 called "The Vistas at Presidio II."

Unknown to virtually everyone in Las Cruces, this block contains a marker built by Jarvis Garrett to memorialize the spot where his Dad was shot. Jarvis Garrett is the youngest son of Pat Garrett. Pat Garrett is the lawman who is most famous for having shot Billy the Kid.

A local organization called Friends of Pat Garrett has been formed "to ensure that the site where the death occurred is set aside for a memorial to Pat, and that the marker set up by Jarvis is retained and protected." Their web site is:

FriendsOfPatGarrett.com

Here's what the marker looks like:

Pat Garrett was shot February 28, 1908. You can see "Feb 1908" carved in the marker in this closeup:

Photos courtesy of Friends of Pat Garrett.

Tags: Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid, Las Cruces

Deadline Passes

The deadline set by the Las Cruces Blackmailer passed yesterday (Friday) at 7 pm with no consequences.

This was the second deadline set by the extortionist.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Blackmail Deadline Passes

Friday -- 7 pm

According to the local paper, the deadline given by the Las Cruces Blackmailer is 7 pm, Friday, November 3. If the blackmailer isn't paid an undisclosed amount by that time, he (or she) threatens to start shooting school children.

"More bodies will fall. Now they will fall in school yards. Don't believe us? Try us again."

Police are taking this threat extremely seriously. Schools are being kept locked, outside activities are banned, and extra police are patrolling schools.

A letter released to parents by the Las Cruces Public Schools requested that parents cooperate with the following new security measures:

* Please sign in when visiting our building.
* Doors will be locked, please enter through the front door only.
* Help us look for suspicious cars, people or anything out of the ordinary around our campus.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Extortionist Deadline Released, Las Cruces Blackmailer

Authorities Take Precautions

The threats to local school children by an unknown extortionist are being taken very seriously by the police and local authorities.

School doors will be locked, and outside activities cancelled or curtailed. Additional police will be present at schools.

If you have any information about this crime, call the 24-hour tip line:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Las Cruces Extortionist

"More Bodies Will Fall"

The Las Cruces Blackmailer has sent the local paper a new letter threatening to shoot Crucens unless paid a large sum of money.

Here are the details of his previous extortion attempt:

City threatened by shooter

Shooting rumors engulf city

Your city is in danger

Blackmail letter released

$26000 offered

Deadline friday

Full police alert

$51000 reward

LCPD issues video

Las Cruces Police Statement

Deadline passes

The Blackmailer had previously set a deadline of September 22. That day passed with no consequences. The local paper states that the Blackmailer has set a new deadline in early November.

It quotes the new letter as saying:

"More bodies will fall. Now they will fall in school yards. Don't believe us? Try us again."

This could be a reference to the tragic shooting of a child several days ago. No one has been identified and arrested in that crime, but authorities are saying they don't think it's related to the threats.

A reward of $51,000 is offered for information leading to the capture and prosecution of the person or persons responsible.

Here's the 24-hour line for reporting tips:

(505) 635-9934

Any kind of information could be valuable.

Tags: Las Cruces Blackmailer, Deadline, Reward, Tip Line

Reptile Killers Caught

The thugs who broke into Las Cruces Reptile Rescue and killed and stole dozens of reptiles have been caught. Both are 17 and have confessed.

These two also trashed the facility beyond use, and stole considerable property.

Sadly, they will not be punished for their extreme cruelty. The New Mexico animal cruelty statue explicitly excludes reptiles. This needs to be changed immediately.

These thugs were caught with 19 stolen turtles -- strange how their parents did not notice the sudden, huge influx of turtles into their home... nor the new bicycle... nor the other stolen property suddenly acquired by their kids.

The 10-foot albino Burmese python, Gloria, stabbed extensively "in the neck" by the thugs appears to be recovering. They claim the 15 snakes still unaccounted for were released into the desert -- if true, they will not survive out of their habitat.

Tags: Reptile Killers Caught, Python, Animal Cruelty

Reward Offered for Reptile Killers

A $1,000 reward has been offered for information on the thugs who broke into the Las Cruces Reptile Rescue facility and killed many of the animals. Here are some details of the attack:

The killers (there had to be more than one) used several knives, a fireplace poker and at least 2 frying pans to beat the animals to death. They hit the animals so hard that they broke off the handles of both frying pans. They also injured several turtles by smashing stones onto their shells.

If you have any information on these heartless goons, call:

(505) 526-8000 or (800) 897-2746.

These numbers can be called 24/7.

Tags: Reward Offered, Reptile Killers

Deadline Passes

The deadline set by the Las Cruces Blackmailer passed yesterday (Friday) with no consequences. The Blackmailer had threatened the city with random shootings if not paid "cash." The amount of money demanded has been withheld from the public.

The local paper reported that school attendance was down, but there was little other sign of people's behavior being affected.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Blackmail Deadline Passes

Guard on Standby

In response to threats to city residents by an unknown blackmailer, the Las Cruces National Guard has been placed on standby.

Tags: National Guard

Reptile Rescue Fundraiser

On September 11, thugs who remain uncaught broke into the facilities of Las Cruces Reptile Rescue and killed and stole numerous reptiles. They also trashed the facility beyond use.

A fundraiser for the organization will be held Sunday, September 24, from 2 to 4 pm at the Court Youth Center.

For more details, call (505) 680-6675 or (505) 680-6082.

About 15 snakes and 30 turtles remain missing. If you have any information on this crime, call (505) 525-1911.

Tags: Reptile Rescue Fundraiser

Las Cruces Police Statement

The Las Cruces Police Department has issued this statement to the public:

Hello, I'm Las Cruces Police Chief Harry Romero.

As I'm sure you are aware, the city of Las Cruces has received letters from a suspected extortionist demanding a certain amount of money.

The letters state that if the demand for money is not met, Las Cruces residents will be shot at random.

The citizens of Las Cruces should know that we are doing everything possible to identify and apprehend the person responsible for writing these letters.

We are using the most advanced forensics and technical equipment available to examine the documents.

We are receiving many leads each day and are vigorously perusing each one of them.

Local, state and federal authorities are united in this effort. We will not stop in this pursuit of justice.

We are confident that with the public's assistance, we will arrest and prosecute the person responsible for making these threats to the fullest extent of the law.

Everyone needs to know that making threats of violence against the good people of Las Cruces is a serious crime and that will not be tolerated.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Las Cruces Police Statement

LCPD Issues Video

The Las Cruces Police Department has issued a video message by Chief Harry Romero to the citizens of Las Cruces regarding the Las Cruces Blackmailer.

The video is here.

Tags: LCPD Video

$51,000 Reward

The reward for information leading to the capture and prosecution of the Las Cruces Blackmailer has been increased to $51,000.

The previous amount has been doubled, thanks to five local businesses. The businesses are:

First Community Bank
Borman AutoPlex
Sisbarro Dealerships
Bravo Chevrolet Cadillac
Jack Key Motors

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Las Cruces Blackmailer, Reward Doubled

Full Police Alert

Las Cruces officials have cancelled all vacation time for city police and say that every available officer will be on duty today and Friday.

County, State, and Federal law officers will also be on duty.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Full Police Alert

Deadline Friday

No pun intended.

Friday, September 22, is the deadline given by the Las Cruces Blackmailer. He says he must be paid by that date, or he starts shooting citizens:

We basically came or were told to come and obtain... cash. ...if they did not meet our deadline with the $ reesidents of your city would be randomly selected and shot.

The deletions are by authorities, to hold back information.

The Las Cruces Police Department says they will mobilize full resources leading up to Friday.

Friday is the first day of the annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta, which typically attracts 50,000 or more visitors. The organizers plan to have extensive security to protect the attendees.

Here's the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:

(505) 635-9934

Tags: Blackmail Deadline Released

$26,000 Offered

A reward of $26,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person trying to blackmail Las Cruces.

To report any information, call (505) 635-9934.

Tags: Reward Offered

Blackmail Letter Released

Here's a photocopy of the blackmail letter sent to the Las Cruces Sun-News. The black areas cover details not being released. The author's writing style appears to be intentionally manipulated.


The text was posted in this blog entry.

Tags: Photocopy Blackmail Letter

"Your city is in danger."

The Las Cruces Sun-News has published excerpts of the threatening letter sent to the city of Las Cruces. The Sun-News is holding back details such as deadlines, dates, and the blackmail amount demanded.

Here is what was released:

Editor:

We arrived in your city.... We explained to mayor/manager mayor and police about our purpose in your city.

We basically came or were told to come and obtain... cash. ...if they did not meet our deadline with the $ reesidents of your city would be randomly selected and shot.

Maybe you already know what you have read so far -- if not ask your city leaders. We just thought you would like to know why bodies will be falling if demands are not met.... City leaders have all the details... and other details. $ delivered and we leave peacefully.

(In)... the past we have been paid by others to find a designated target and stop it from existing -- now we are looking for payment to let the target exist....

Your city is in danger.

Tags: Blackmail Letter Released

Shooting Rumors Engulf City

Wild rumors of several people shot as a result of the blackmail threat made public yesterday caused a lot of anxiety today.

One NMSU professor announced to her class that two people had been killed and sent all her students home in fear.

It appeared that there was extra security present around city and county buildings today, but officials said that the additional security was a result of the original threats, not the rumors spreading today.

Police have established a tip line for anyone with information about the blackmail threats, (505) 635-9934.

Tags: Shooting Rumors Engulf Las Cruces

City Threatened by Shooter

City officials and the local newspaper have received letters threatening random shootings if an undisclosed ransom amount is not paid.

Officials have not disclosed the contents of the letters or the amount demanded. The letter is described as handwritten in an unusual writing style. The letters set a deadline by which the blackmail must be paid or shootings will begin.

People are being told to be extra attentive, but to go about their normal business.

Tags: Shooter Threatens Las Cruces, City Blackmailed