Las Cruces police arrested three suspects for their involvement in a stabbing and armed robbery that occurred Wednesday morning.
Alfonso Rodriguez, 32, Santana Apodaca, 29, and 25-year-old David Watson were arrested Wednesday. Rodriguez and Apodaca are charged with armed robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence, and four counts of conspiracy. Watson is charged with one count each of tampering with evidence and conspiracy.
Shortly before 7 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a stabbing that occurred at the Simple Rewards Inn at 1900 W. Picacho Ave. Officers arrived to find a 43-year-old man suffering from at least one stab wound to his upper arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Police learned the victim was inside his motel room when Apodaca, an acquaintance of his, showed up accompanied by Rodriguez. Investigators learned Apodaca and Rodriguez forced their way into the room. Once inside the room, Apodaca demanded the victim reimburse her for a previous loan. The victim, holding an envelope with approximately $200 in cash, began paying Apodaca who allegedly grabbed the envelope and attempted to take the entire contents.
Investigators learned that, as the victim and Apodaca struggled for control of the envelope, Rodriguez used a large knife to stab the victim at least once on his upper arm. The victim relinquished his grasp of the envelope and the two suspects fled the motel room with the cash.
Investigators learned that Rodriguez and Apodaca fled to Watson’s motel room located nearby. There, they asked Watson to conceal and transport clothes and the knife used during the crime.
Police located and detained all three suspects by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Rodriguez, Apodaca, and Watson were all booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where they each are initially being held without bond.