By Lyndsie Ferrell
DEL NORTE— According to Del Norte Police Chief Robert Fresquez, Cruz Villa, who was captured last Tuesday, May 15 after evading arrest for several months by the Monte Vista Police Department (MVPD), has officially been charged with two counts of burglary. Fresquez stated that other charges are pending and the number of charges against Villa could rise in coming weeks.
“We have solved four additional burglaries and are awaiting warrants to be signed by the district attorney before releasing any further information. We have been able to charge Villa with the robbery at the car wash in Del Norte and a burglary at a residence in the 400 block of First Street,” stated Fresquez.
Law enforcement officials Valley-wide spent the last several months trying to track down Villa as a suspect in numerous robberies occurring in the area. On Tuesday Villa was caught after a brief foot chase with MVPD and arrested for robbery charges pending in both Monte Vista and Del Norte. Villa was connected to the robberies with evidence gathered at the two locations he is being charged for robbing, including video surveillance captured during the car wash incident.
Fresquez and his officers have continued their Neighborhood Watch efforts, urging the communities to come together and speak out about suspicious activity. During the last town board meeting, Fresquez reported that several residents in the town have opted to install motion sensor cameras as well as basic camera systems, which he stated was a huge benefit to the department.
Though law enforcement officials still believe Villa did not act alone, they have yet to release any further information pertaining to any other suspects. Fresquez did state that he thought someone was working quickly to remove the stolen merchandise from the Valley and that the turn around rate was far too high for Villa to be acting alone.
“We do not believe that the robberies will stop, but we know having Villa in custody will slow them down. We still need the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity,” stated Fresquez. He continued to state that the department does not condone vigilante justice and encourages people to lock their doors, windows and outlying buildings as well as secure belongings.
More information pertaining to the remaining four cases will be reported as it comes available.