Man found guilty of attempted murder in Las Cruces police altercation
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 47-year-old man was found guilty by a Las Cruces jury on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and was convicted of several charges including attempted first degree murder of two Las Cruces Police officers, according to the Office of the Third Judicial District Attorney.
The District Attorney’s office says Bobby Charles Crawford, 47, was found guilty by a Las Cruces jury in Dona Ana County District Court and was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.
The D.A.’s office says on June 21, 2023, a New Mexico State Police officer began following a white Chevrolet Suburban that was suspected of belonging to Crawford who had a warrant for his arrest.
A Las Cruces Police officer unit also responded to the area to assist. Crawford then fled, causing a chase through residential neighborhoods and ultimately driving into the desert area east of Holman Road and South of Arroyo Road in Las Cruces, according to the D.A.’s office.
A Las Cruces Police officer then placed his vehicle infront of Crawford’s vehicle in an attempt to stop him. When passing around the officer’s patrol unit, Crawford fired at the police vehicle and other law enforcement vehicles to which then officers returned fire, according to the D.A.’s office.
Crawford then barricaded himself inside of the SUV, and eventually surrendered to officers. The D.A.’s office says Crawford has a long history of criminal conduct.
“We sincerely appreciate the Doña Ana County Jury’s hard work which found defendant Crawford guilty of the Attempted Murder of two Las Cruces Police Officers and other associated violent crimes. Their verdict demonstrates Doña Ana County juries will assign accountability for proven criminal conduct. We also thank the court for presiding over a fair and efficient trial. At sentencing, my office will request the court impose the maximum sentence permitted by law, so that this dangerous convict will not pose a future threat to the public or public servants,” District Attorney Gerald Byers said.
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