Las Cruces, NM (KKOB) – A Las Cruces man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he kidnapped his girlfriend, threatened her with a knife, and led officers on a high-speed chase that ended in multiple crashes.
Investigators say 30-year old Jesus Gerardo Moreno Jr. was driving in the Sonoma Ranch area when he allegedly threatened the woman with a folding knife, took her cellphone when she tried to call police, and prevented her from leaving the vehicle. Police say he also slapped and punched her several times and threatened to stab her. According to investigators, the woman escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle near Sonoma Ranch Boulevard and east Lohman Avenue.. A good Samaritan driver of a vehicle following Moreno, picked up the victim and removed her from further danger.
Later in the day, police say Moreno then fled from officers when they tried to make a traffic stop, leading them on a pursuit during which he allegedly caused two traffic crashes before he was stopped and taken into custody. Moreno is charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and several other offenses.
Moreno was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.
