Armed robbery can be a grimy business, but one suspect is anything but that.
Police said a man robbing a 94-year-old man in his own home disrobed, showered and shaved during the robbery, all while keeping a "watchful eye" on the victim, according to a criminal complaint.
While hygienic, the shower and shave proved costly because it helped police gather evidence against the suspect.
The robbery started when Glen Miller, 94, awoke in the middle of the night last week to a robber pointing a gun at him.
According to the criminal complaint, Rudy Chavez, 43, held Miller at gunpoint while Chavez showered, shaved, dressed in Miller's clothes and left with Miller's car, television and cash. Chavez chatted with Miller and said he was committing the robbery because he had just been released from prison and couldn't find work, according to the criminal complaint.
Albuquerque police arrested Chavez on Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery, larceny, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle in connection with the robbery, which happened near the 3400 block of Harwood Court NE.
Albuquerque police Lt. Paul Szych said Chavez awoke Miller early Wednesday morning and grabbed him by the arm, taking him room to room looking for items to steal. At one point Miller tried to call police and Chavez grabbed his phone and left Miller with bruises.
Because of the age of the victim and the nature of the crime, Szych said investigators worked after-hours to process fingerprints on the shaver and a bottle of mouthwash, which matched to Chavez. Miller then identified him from a photograph.
"It certainly benefited us in this case. It gave us an enhanced opportunity to identify him and subsequently arrest him," Szych said of Chavez's shave and shower. "That was a key component to the case."
Chavez had two outstanding felony warrants and is also the suspect in a shooting that happened the same day as the robbery. Police didn't give details about the shooting investigation. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
Copyright 2014 - Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
