Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Truck linked to double homicide

Abandoned vehicle found along interstate by border patrol

Audry Olmsted El Defensor Chieftain Managing Editor

The truck belonging to a Pecos, Texas, couple, who were found stabbed to death on Friday afternoon at their Texas bar, was found early Sunday morning on the side of Interstate 25.

New Mexico State Police Sgt. Jason Green said the 1995 Ford F-350 was found at 2:30 a.m., at Mile Marker 114, by a border patrol agent who reported it to the State Police.

Patrolman Antonio Palomares responded to the scene, Green said. A check showed the truck was reported stolen from Pecos and that it was connected with a double homicide there.

Green said the vehicle was taken back to their Truth or Consequences office and an investigator with the Pecos Police Department was sent there to check the vehicle for evidence.

Green said the investigator found blood in the vehicle.

Richard Cherry, 51, and his wife, Alicia, 48, were found Friday afternoon by a family member at their Pecos bar, DJ's Roundup. Green said they were found stabbed to death.

According to police reports from Pecos, the incident occurred sometime between May 6 at 10 p.m., and May 7 at 4:17 p.m.

Police have a person of interest in the deaths, 50-year-old Randall Lee Stephens. An arrest warrant has been issued for Stephens for failure to register as a sex offender. Stephens last known address is at a Pecos motel.

According to police reports, Stephens was the last person seen by witnesses at the bar on May 6.

Green said the truck would be released to family members.

aolmsted@dchieftain.com

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