A Las Cruces homeowner who woke up Sunday to find a man burglarizing his residence is credited for tackling the suspect and holding on to him until police arrived.
About 6 a.m. Sunday, June 14, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress on the 1100 block of Sharon Circle. Police arrived to find the 34-year-old homeowner physically detaining Mark Ron Rivera, 32, in the front yard.
Las Cruces police investigators learned the homeowner woke up when an unknown man, later identified as Rivera, opened his bedroom door. Rivera was allegedly carrying two roasts, a Gatorade, soda and some brownies when he entered the man’s bedroom.
The homeowner confronted Rivera and the two struggled with each other in the living room and then in the front yard. The homeowner ultimately gained control and successfully detained Rivera. Officers arrived shortly thereafter and took Rivera into custody.
Police believe Rivera entered the home through an unlocked door. Rivera was found to have a Glock magazine in his front pocket, but no gun was located.
Rivera, of the 1100 block of Monte Vista Avenue, was charged with a third-degree felony count of residential burglary. He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.