Las Cruces police are asking for the public’s help identifying the driver of a car captured on surveillance cameras near the scene of a homicide that occurred Sunday morning.
The car, believed to be a silver 4-door sedan with aftermarket rims that are possibly chrome, was known to be near the 1000 block of Juniper Avenue shortly before the murder of 31-year-old Matthew Portillo. Investigators believe Portillo was killed sometime before 3 a.m. on Sunday though his body was not discovered until close to 7 a.m.
Investigators believe the driver or occupant of the vehicle may be able to provide information that’s relevant to this case.
Anyone who knows the driver or passenger of the vehicle, or where the vehicle may be, is asked to call Las Cruces police immediately at (575) 526-0795.
Shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the 1000 block of Juniper Avenue by a passerby who discovered an unresponsive man on the sidewalk. Police and fire personnel arrived and determined the man, identified as Matthew Portillo, was deceased.
The cause of Portillo’s death was not immediately known. It has since been learned his death was a result of foul play.
Investigators learned Portillo was seen at the Rad Retrocade bar, at 201 N. Main St., on Saturday evening and possibly into Sunday morning. Anyone with information on how he left Rad Retrocade, or with whom he was with, is asked to call Las Cruces police.
Las Cruces-Dona Ana County Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 cash reward for information that helps identify the person or persons responsible for Portillo's death. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to immediately call Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided through the Las Cruces Crime Stoppers app, “P3 TIPS.” The app is available through the App Store on most devices.
Those who provide tips through Crime Stoppers do not have to leave their own name and will remain completely anonymous.