EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) –The New Mexico State Police arrested one of their own officers for the alleged theft of National Guard equipment in Las Cruces, the agency said in a news release.
Santiago Pacheco, a New Mexico State Police officer and sergeant with the National Gaurd, was arrested on Tuesday, April 8 and was charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny, the State Police said.
On March 13, the State Police Investigations Bureau began investigating a theft that happened at 249 N. Armory Road in Las Cruces, which is where the New Mexico Army National Guard is located.
Through their investigation, State Police said they learned that Pacheco and one other soldier were present during “sensitive item inventory,” in the training months of February and March. The State Police said the pair took three pairs of night vision goggles.
Pacheco was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center and placed on standard administrative leave with the New Mexico State Police.
“I am extremely upset by the arrest of one of our officers,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said. “As members of the New Mexico State Police, we are held to the highest standards. Those who cannot meet those standards, do not belong in this agency. His actions are unacceptable and do not reflect the integrity, dedication, and honor exhibited every single day by the men and women of this agency. We remain committed to being a department that holds our officers to the highest accountability standards — even if it means arresting one of our own.”