Police arrested a man suspected of beating his girlfriend, breaking her nose, and refusing to allow her to leave her own car during an incident that occurred Thursday.
Jesus Gonzalez Jr., 36, of the 200 blocks of west Madrid Avenue, is charged with a first-degree felony count of kidnapping, a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery against a household member and a misdemeanor count of interference with communications.
About 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, Las Cruces police investigators learned of the incident that occurred earlier in the day and spanned several locations. On Thursday, the two were sitting in her vehicle near Gonzalez’s residence when he became upset with her. Investigators learned Gonzalez punched the woman several times causing the broken nose, swelling to her face, and several bruises to her right arm.
At some point during the incident, Gonzalez forced the woman to the back seat, but she was unable to leave the vehicle. Gonzalez then got into the driver’s seat the drove to the Village of Dona Ana before returning to his residence.
Gonzalez is also accused of taking away the woman’s cell phone which prevented her from calling for help. At some point, the woman regained control of her phone and sent a text message to a friend pleading for help. The friend called 911 and police located Gonzalez and the woman near his residence.
The woman was transported to a local emergency room. Her injuries were severe but not life-threatening.
Gonzalez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.