EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A man was arrested after he allegedly discharged a firearm and attempted to break into a Mayhill, New Mexico, church on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The Otero County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) made the announcement on Friday, Nov. 7, via Facebook.
At around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, deputies were dispatched to the Village of Mayhill about an active break-in at the Mayhill Baptist Church. Upon arrival, deputies were told by the Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority (TBRDA) that a man, who was not identified by the Sheriff’s Office, was “actively discharging a firearm at the church and attempting to gain entry.” However, the suspect was unsuccessful in entering the building and fled the scene in a dark blue van, according to OCSO.
A short time later, a deputy located a vehicle matching the description traveling west on U.S. Highway 82, and with the assistance of other Otero County deputies and the New Mexico State Police, a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle.
During the traffic stop, deputies located a black AK-47 style rifle. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Otero County Detention Center on multiple charges, including desecration of a church, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, and criminal damage to property, according to OCSO.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any additional information regarding this incident, contact the Otero County Sheriff’s Office at (575) 437-2210.
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