Auto burglaries in Hobbs – mainly in the city’s south and east areas – are frequent. Most entries into vehicles, states a Hobbs Police Department (HPD) press release (PDF) of Tuesday, March 28, “…have involved broken windows on the vehicles as a point of entry….”
After an ongoing investigation about these burglaries, HPD officers determined that Hobbs resident Aaron Castillo, age 29, “…was a suspect in these burglaries.” As a result a warrant for two counts of Auto Burglary, a Fourth Degree Felony, was issued for Castillo. A previous warrant for Castillo – Failure to Appear – was also active.
HPD officers located Castillo the afternoon of Sunday, March 26, in the area of Dunnam and Eastern streets in Hobbs. When he saw HPD officers, Castillo ran away, ignoring “commands” the officers called out for him to stop. Finally, officers were able to catch up with Castillo and detain him. The press release states, “While he was being detained, Mr. Castillo excitedly told officers he ran away because he knew he had warrants.” Because he failed to comply with HPD officers’ commands, Castillo was additionally charged with Resisting, Evading, Obstructing an Officer.
Castillo Has Extensive Criminal History
Castillo’s long and ongoing criminal history is listed in the press release. Violations are extensive. According to KLBK News, CBS affiliate from Lubbock, Texas, police have stated that Castillo “…has been attested over 100 times for a variety of charges….”
Area residents are shocked that Castillo remains on the streets.. On the HPD Facebook page Nedra Turner comments, “Why is his Wrap sheet so long and he [is] still walking around?” Jera Tenner adds, “His record is longer than a Monday! WHEW!” Jo Gaye Schmidt agrees, “It is shameful that he is still on the streets with that kind of rap sheet!”
Police Chief August Fons Speaks Out
Police Chief August Fons also comments on the HPD Facebook page. He states, “I wanted to take a moment to thank the officers and detectives of the Hobbs Police Department for the substantial and often unrecognized investigative work that went into not only this criminal case but many other cases on a daily basis. Your police department is but one tier in the criminal justice system and ultimately, crime detection and prevention is a total community responsibility….”
To this end both Chief Fons and the HPD ask the public to “report all suspicious subjects, vehicles or activity in your neighborhoods to police” at (575) 397- 9265 (dispatch) or (575) 393 – 8005 (Lea County Crime Stoppers). Sometimes cash rewards are given for tips. The public may also send private messages to HPD on Facebook. The department cautions that its Facebook page is not monitored in “real time” and should not be used to report “real time” crimes.
The auto burglary investigation by HPD officers and detectives is ongoing.
HPD reminds the public to “LOCK YOUR VEHICLES” –”TAKE YOUR KEYS” – “TAKE YOUR BELONGINGS WITH YOU”.
