ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police have arrested a sixth suspect in the July murder of a man who was chased from a Central Avenue smoke shop before being fatally shot in the street.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, 28-year-old Luis Ornelas was arrested Sunday after an APD officer on patrol spotted him trespassing on private property near Hotel Circle and Lomas Boulevard Northeast. During the encounter, the officer discovered Ornelas had an outstanding warrant for homicide.
The arrest stems from the July 20 killing of Dominic Hernandez outside a smoke shop near Central Avenue and Indiana Street.
Investigators say Hernandez had been hiding inside the business when a group of men confronted him, accusing him of stealing $900. Surveillance video reviewed by detectives allegedly shows several suspects surrounding Hernandez inside the store before he was forcibly removed against his will.
Police say Ornelas was among the men involved in the confrontation and later chased Hernandez into Central Avenue. Detectives allege Hernandez was then shot by Charles Richards, who was previously arrested in the case.
Ornelas is charged with:
- Open count of murder
- Conspiracy to commit an open count of murder
- Attempt to commit a felony (robbery)
- Kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Tampering with evidence
With Ornelas’ arrest, six people have now been charged in connection with the homicide:
- Luis Ornelas, 28
- Charles Richards, 39
- Daniel Tadege, 29
- Tinh Ahn Nguyen, 45
- Jose Pablo Valenzuela-Ruiz, 25
- Brandon Davis, 49
The investigation remains ongoing.
