A Las Cruces police officer spotted a commercial burglary suspect near a broken window, gave chase when the man ran, and then located him trying to hide in a commercial waste container.
Marcus Volpato, 19, of the 3100 block of Oak Street, is charged with felony counts of criminal damage to property, non-residential burglary, and breaking and entering. Volpato also faces a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
About 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, a Las Cruces police officer was patrolling a retail center at 1001 E. University Ave. when he spotted a masked man standing in front of a broken window at World Peace Smoke Shop. The masked man took off running northbound, between buildings. The officer drove to the back of the business and located the suspect hiding in a commercial waste container.
The officer ordered the suspect out of the container and took him into custody without further incident.
The suspect was identified as Volpato. Upon further investigation, officers located Volpato’s backpack nearby and a handgun inside the waste container. The backpack contained products believed to be stolen from World Peace Smoke Shop.
Volpato was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.