Feb. 07-- LAS CRUCES -- Two men wanted on five felony charges including aggravated battery and kidnapping remain at large after a six-hour standoff involving Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies and the Special Response Team.
Investigators say that on Feb. 4, Michael Strubhar, 42, picked up a 22-year-old female from the Budget Motel on Picacho and then stopped at an apartment complex where the two picked up another man, identified as David Grill, 45. According to a report, Grill jumped in the backseat and began to strangle the female with a rope. The woman attempted to escape, but was struck in the head with an unknown object.
According to a report, Strubhar and Grill then drove the woman to a desert area near Picacho Hills west of Las Cruces and dragged her out of the vehicle, where she was allegedly beaten and told to hold out her hand so that it could be broken for what the two men said was alleged theft.
The victim complied, but was instead stripped of her purse, shoes and jacket and was left in the desert.
After the two men left the area, the victim walked to a nearby home to ask for help. She was then taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.
Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies obtained a search warrant for Grill's residence on Feb. 6, but attempts to locate him by the Special Response Team were unsuccessful.
Grill and Strubhar are both charged
with aggravated battery, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery and bribery of a witness.
Investigators say both Grill and Strubhar should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on the two men is asked to call Crime Stoppers (800) 822-TIPS or via text message to LCTIPS (528477).
(5:02 a.m. update) LAS CRUCES -- Dona Ana County sheriff's deputies and the department's Special Response Team believe two suspects wanted for kidnapping and aggravated assault are on the run after barricading themselves inside a Las Cruces home Monday night.
According to Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office Spokeswoman Kelly jameson, the standoff which began about 6:30 p.m. Monday, ended after a few hours. The suspects were not found inside the home and are now reportedly on the loose. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of David Grill, 45, and Michael Strubhar, 42.
Check back for updates as they become available.
Deputies with the Special Response Team determined neither suspect was in the house. As a precaution, a few homes nearby were evacuated, but neighbors have since been allowed to return to their homes.
(10:30 p.m. update)
LAS CRUCES -- Dona Ana County sheriff's deputies and the department's Special Response Team believe two suspects wanted for kidnapping and aggravated assault have barricaded themselves inside a Las Cruces home.
About 6:30 p.m. Monday, deputies were serving two arrest warrants on David Grill, 45, and Michael Strubhar, 42. The men were reportedly seen at a home near the intersection of Telshor Boulevard and Fairway Drive, near Memorial Medical Center. But the two men apparently fled inside the home as deputies approached them.
As a precaution, roads in that neighborhood were blocked to traffic and several houses evacuated when the Special Response Team was called in. Sheriff's deputies ask motorists to seek an alternate route.
Both suspects are accused of taking a woman against her will Saturday from the Budget Motel on Picacho Avenue to a desert area west of the city. The woman, who was an acquaintance of both men, was allegedly beaten and left in the desert.
The victim told police Grill and Strubhar took her cell phone, her shoes and her coat. She also said they threatened to kill her if she called police.
After Grill and Strubhar left the woman, she walked to a nearby home for help. She was taken to a Las Cruces hospital where she was treated and released.
Grill and Strubhar are wanted on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery, and bribery of a witness.
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