A man wanted for a murder in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was apprehended in Las Cruces last Saturday after allegedly partaking in an armed robbery and carjacking. The Las Cruces Police Department reports that Zachary Ryan Babitz, 38, was arrested in connection with an incident at a local Arby's restaurant, as per KTSM.
The police learned around 6:30 p.m. that a male suspect, accompanied by a woman, had robbed the Arby’s at gunpoint. The suspects proceeded to carjack a vehicle, ejecting the female driver at gunpoint, and subsequently crashed near Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive. Both suspects fled the scene, but officers were able to locate and arrest Babitz shortly after. His female accomplice remains unidentified and at large, as reported by KTSM.
Babitz, originally from Glendale, California, has a history of criminal activity. According to the El Paso Times, he was released from prison in March of this year and has previous charges that include robbery, possession of a deadly weapon or explosive by a prisoner, and out-of-state fugitive criminal charges. The police are actively seeking to apprehend the female suspect believed to be his accomplice in the recent crimes.
The incident has sparked a police manhunt for the woman involved. The robbery victim whose car was abruptly stolen was reportedly unharmed during the incident. Community members who knew Babitz are shocked by the events, with one, Mark Michel, recalling Babitz's seemingly positive contributions in the past. "He was a leader in every aspect, supporter of the staff, supporter of the mission, spokesman. Everything good that the organization did he participated in and made it better," Michel said, as per KOB4, reflecting on their twenty-year acquaintance. The public has been urged to report any information that could potentially help to quickly track down the remaining suspect.
