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A Roswell businessman, after suffering two break-ins in two days, shot and killed a youth who broke into his store early on Christmas Day, police said.Albert Cruz, 46, of Cruz TV Service, 214 W. McGaffey St., told police he shot Leroy Mike Serna after Serna allegedly had tried to hit him with a pipe.After the second break-in — at 12:52 a.m. Christmas morning — Cruz told police that he and his 22-year-old son would stay at the store since he could not afford anymore losses due to theft, polioe said.At 4:26 a.m., according to police reports, the store was entered through a window on the east side by Serna, 17, of 506 E. Albuquerque St.Police said Serna apparently went to the door of the business, took the safety bar off the door and was about to let Jesus Joe Lopez, 19, of 113 E. Mathews St., into the building.Cruz then told Serna not to move, and when Serna attempted to use the pipe on Cruz, he fired a shot, striking the victim ill the head, police said./m/Serna was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital, where it was decided to rush the patient to Albuquerque, police officials said.Serna died during the air-ambulance trip Sunday, they said.Police added that Lopez turned himself in to Assistant District Attorney Jay F. Rosenthal later in the morning and was charged withburglary and placed in jail in lieu ofposting $8,000 bond.When asked if charges would be filed against Cruz in connection with the shooting, Rosenthal said. “I havereviewed the police investigation statements and it is my judgement that it is a justifiable homocide.” Rosenthal added that since Cruz is a member of the New Mexico MountedPatrol, his office will “foward a copy of the full police reports to the Attorney General’s office” in Santa Fe to insure the investigation is properly handled.Myrjcw»aj3«momBi3moigiS»giawEC»3E»3W^\¥TO¥tiMin¥ri¥nmPrices Good Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday2W!GLOVER’SCHUCK WAGON• 12 OZ. PKG.:¥PEYTON’SQQ¥TO•If*
Newspaper Details
Roswell Daily Record
Roswell, New Mexico, US
Tue, Dec 27, 1977
Page 5
Full Page
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USA 02 Apr 2019
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Roswell Daily Record
