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Nathaniel Baca, one of the suspects believed to be involved in the Aug. 20 kidnapping and battery of a woman, was arrested Monday morning.
Baca, 22, of 2600 east Idaho Avenue, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The charge is a second-degree felony. Baca was arrested about 8:30 a.m. Monday after crashing a vehicle and leading officers on a brief foot pursuit near Delano Drive.
Las Cruces police are still asking for the public’s help locating 25-year-old Jacob Gonzalez, Baca’s cousin, who is believed to be the man responsible for kidnapping and battering an ex-girlfriend on Aug. 20.
About 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, Las Cruces police were dispatched to Memorial Medical Center where a 27-year-old woman was being treated for multiple non-life-threatening injuries.
The woman told investigations that Gonzalez, her ex-boyfriend, and his cousin Nathanial Baca, were armed with a rifle and handgun they used to threaten her. Gonzalez and Baca are accused of forcing the woman into her own vehicle where she was beat by Gonzalez. Baca drove them to an undeveloped area where the suspects forced the woman to remove her clothes and shoes. They forced her into the vehicle’s trunk and drove to an unknown residence before returning to her home early Thursday morning. When the two suspects left her residence, the woman sought medical attention at the hospital.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jacob Gonzalez. He is about 5-feet-8-inches tall and weighs approximately 145 pounds. Gonzalez is charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery against a household member and interference with communications. His whereabouts are unknown at this time. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacob Gonzalez is asked to immediately call 911.
Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that helps police locate Gonzalez. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 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.
