Las Cruces motel standoff ends with arrest of man wanted in Arizona after woman reports sexual assault
New Mexico State Police say a DWI arrest in Socorro County led to a separate alleged sexual assault investigation in Las Cruces, where officers located and arrested 43-year-old Brian Smolak on two nationwide warrants after a tactical team made entry into a motel room.
A New Mexico State Police DWI arrest in Socorro County led officers to a Las Cruces motel, where tactical teams took a wanted 43-year-old man into custody on nationwide warrants.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - A routine DWI arrest in Socorro County led New Mexico State Police to a Las Cruces motel, where officers arrested a man wanted on two nationwide warrants after a tactical team made entry into his room.
State Police said a 43-year-old woman was arrested Nov. 28 on aggravated DWI after she fled the scene of a crash on Interstate 25 near mile marker 143. She was taken to a hospital in Socorro for a blood draw. While there, police say she told the arresting officer she had been sexually assaulted earlier that day by her ex-boyfriend, 43-year-old Brian Smolak.
The woman reported that the assault occurred in Las Cruces. Investigators learned Smolak was believed to be on the run and had active arrest warrants. The State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to take over the case.
Agents confirmed Smolak had two nationwide extraditable warrants out of Arizona, including one for aggravated assault on a peace officer. Based on information from the woman, investigators also identified a possible location for Smolak at a motel in Las Cruces.
State Police said agents verified he was inside the room and attempted several times to get him to come out. When he refused, officers obtained a search warrant. The State Police Tactical Team arrived and made entry, taking Smolak into custody without further incident.
He was booked on his outstanding warrants and may face additional charges related to the Las Cruces sexual assault allegation. The investigation remains ongoing.
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