Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
No pun intended.
Friday, September 22, is the deadline given by the Las Cruces Blackmailer. He says he must be paid by that date, or he starts shooting citizens:
We basically came or were told to come and obtain… cash. …if they did not meet our deadline with the $ reesidents of your city would be randomly selected and shot.
The deletions are by authorities, to hold back information.
The Las Cruces Police Department says they will mobilize full resources leading up to Friday.
Friday is the first day of the annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta, which typically attracts 50,000 or more visitors. The organizers plan to have extensive security to protect the attendees.
Here’s the 24-hour tip line for any information about the case:
(505) 635-9934
Tags: Blackmail Deadline Released
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
A reward of $26,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person trying to blackmail Las Cruces.
To report any information, call (505) 635-9934.
Tags: Reward Offered
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
Here’s a photocopy of the blackmail letter sent to the Las Cruces Sun-News. The black areas cover details not being released. The author’s writing style appears to be intentionally manipulated.
The text was posted in this blog entry.
Tags: Photocopy Blackmail Letter
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
The Las Cruces Sun-News has published excerpts of the threatening letter sent to the city of Las Cruces. The Sun-News is holding back details such as deadlines, dates, and the blackmail amount demanded.
Here is what was released:
Editor:
We arrived in your city…. We explained to mayor/manager mayor and police about our purpose in your city.
We basically came or were told to come and obtain… cash. …if they did not meet our deadline with the $ reesidents of your city would be randomly selected and shot.
Maybe you already know what you have read so far — if not ask your city leaders. We just thought you would like to know why bodies will be falling if demands are not met…. City leaders have all the details… and other details. $ delivered and we leave peacefully.
(In)… the past we have been paid by others to find a designated target and stop it from existing — now we are looking for payment to let the target exist….
Your city is in danger.
Tags: Blackmail Letter Released
Monday, September 18th, 2006
Wild rumors of several people shot as a result of the blackmail threat made public yesterday caused a lot of anxiety today.
One NMSU professor announced to her class that two people had been killed and sent all her students home in fear.
It appeared that there was extra security present around city and county buildings today, but officials said that the additional security was a result of the original threats, not the rumors spreading today.
Police have established a tip line for anyone with information about the blackmail threats, (505) 635-9934.
Tags: Shooting Rumors Engulf Las Cruces
Sunday, September 17th, 2006
City officials and the local newspaper have received letters threatening random shootings if an undisclosed ransom amount is not paid.
Officials have not disclosed the contents of the letters or the amount demanded. The letter is described as handwritten in an unusual writing style. The letters set a deadline by which the blackmail must be paid or shootings will begin.
People are being told to be extra attentive, but to go about their normal business.
Tags: Shooter Threatens Las Cruces, City Blackmailed
Sunday, September 17th, 2006
Members of the National Guard from the Las Cruces area who recently returned from service in Afghanistan were honored with a parade and ceremony today. The Guardsmen served in the 93rd Troop Command as part of Task Force Phoenix.
The ladder of a Las Cruces firetruck flew the American flag.
Tags: National Guardsmen Honored
Saturday, September 16th, 2006
A bee yard just outside of Las Cruces.
Ideally, bees should be located where they get some shade and near water. These hives are about 2,000 feet from the Rio Grande.
Tags: Bee Yard
Thursday, September 14th, 2006
A severe storm moved through Las Cruces yesterday, producing a tornado, up to quarter-sized hail, and some flooding. The tornado was sighted moving toward the city from the west, but did no damage and apparently was small.
Here’s a photo of the leading edge of the storm.
Tags: Tornado, Hail
Wednesday, September 13th, 2006
The extensive recent rains have lead to a greening and flowering in the desert around Las Cruces that is rare in recent times. Here are a few photos taken yesterday.
A 3-foot barrel cactus:
The flowers always grow at the top of the plant.
Tags: Desert Flowers, Chihuahuan Desert
