One Artesia man has been arrested on burglary charges and another remains at large following a break-in early Friday morning at a local vape shop.
Artesia Police Department (APD) officers were dispatched just after 2 a.m. Friday, April 19, to A1 Tobacco and Vape, 1404 W. Main St., in reference to a commercial burglary in progress. Upon arrival, police noticed a ladder behind the business that had been used to gain access from the roof.
Later investigation revealed that an outside structure at the pitch of the roof where an air-conditioning unit was once located had been pried open, and a hole was cut in the sheetrock below in order to drop into the business. Police were able to locate a flashlight and crowbar, in addition to the ladder.
Officers subsequently made their way to the front of the shop, where they observed 23-year-old Jesus Manuel Bravo with his hands in the air. Bravo was unable to exit through the front doors, which were still deadbolted behind steel bars. Commands were issued for him to exit the building through the hole where entry had been made, and he complied.
Once in custody, a backpack was taken from Bravo’s person that contained 17 vapes and four pouches of kratom pills. The items were valued at $670. In addition to the damage caused to the roof and ceiling, glass shelving had been broken in order to take the items, and security cameras had been disabled, causing damage to the electrical system. Total estimated property damage is $16,500.
According to APD Cmdr. Pete Quinones, further investigation of video surveillance systems indicates that Bravo had an accomplice who had entered the business with him but was able to flee prior to law enforcement arrival.
Bravo was charged with commercial burglary, criminal damage to property (over $1,000) and possession of burglary tools. He was booked into the Eddy County Detention Center at 11:50 a.m. Friday, where a charge of parole violation was added, on which he is being held without bond.
He was previously convicted in 2021 of charges including two counts of non-residential burglary; larceny ($250 or less); larceny (over $500 but not more than $2,500); two counts of criminal damage to property (under $1,000); tampering with evidence; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
In 2020, Bravo was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and conspiracy to commit contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as well as charges of non-residential burglary; criminal damage to property (over $1,000); criminal damage to property (under $1,000); larceny (over $250 but not more than $500); conspiracy to commit non-residential burglary; tampering with evidence; and possession of burglary tools resulting from an August 2019 break-in at Artesia Family Wellness Center.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the APD at 575-746-5000.
