Couple sought for robberies, assault
Arrest warrants have been issued for a man and a woman who police say are responsible for robberies and at least one physical attack that left a Las Vegas man unconscious with a broken shoulder.
Two arrest warrants have been issued for Adamina Esquibel, 19, of Las Vegas. The first on Sept. 17, and the second on Monday. A warrant was issued for Brian J. Sandoval, 19, also of Las Vegas, on Monday as well. The two, described as boyfriend and girlfriend in court documents, are wanted on multiple felony charges.
The first warrant for Esquibel was issued after New Mexico State Police responded to a report of a truck being stolen on Sept. 8. The theft happened just before 3 a.m. along a stretch of State Road 65 southeast of United World College-USA, according to an affidavit filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court.
A man told police he was at a gas station earlier in the evening when Esquibel asked him for money for gas. He said he recognized her as a former classmate, and the two decided to go “hang out” near the hot springs, driving there in separate vehicles, according to the affidavit. The man said while parked alongside the road, Esquibel asked him to look away so she could urinate. He agreed, but as he turned away, a man got out of her car and into his truck as Esquibel got back into her vehicle. Both drove away, leaving the man on the side of the road.
The truck was later located by United World College-USA security, but the man’s cell phone and his wallet containing his identification and some cash were missing from the truck.
Five days later, officers with the Las Vegas Police Department responded to a call around midnight about an older man being physically assaulted by a younger man near Seventh Street and Legion Drive.
A man told police that a younger man — later identified by police as Sandoval — knocked on his door and told him they were giving away free food “for elderly people” at a nearby restaurant. The man thanked him and began to close the door, but Sandoval punched him in the head and slammed his head into a wall, causing him to collapse, according to an affidavit filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court. Sandoval then kicked him, took his wallet and left the man unconscious on the ground as he jumped into a silver sedan driven by a woman.
Through witness statements and video surveillance from nearby businesses, police were able to identify Sandoval as the assailant, and Esquibel as the driver of the car.
The man was treated at Alta Vista Regional Hospital for lacerations and a broken shoulder, according to the affidavit.
As early as Sept. 13, members of a Facebook crime watch group called RAW Las Vegas began posting about a man and a woman knocking on doors, asking for money and then robbing people.
On Sept. 17, the Optic asked LVPD if the alleged robberies were being investigated. Chief of Police Adrian Crespin said the “alleged incidents” were being investigated, and he promised an update once he had more information. No update was provided, despite three warrants being issued.
The Sept. 21 arrest affidavits do indicate police were aware of the reported robberies, and that Sandoval and Esquibel were potential suspects.
Esquibel has no prior criminal history in New Mexico. Sandoval was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana when he was 16, and the case was transferred to Juvenile Probation and Parole in March 2018.
Both Sandoval and Esquibel are charged with two counts of robbery, and one count aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, all third-degree felonies. Esquibel is also charged with burglary of a vehicle, larceny, motor vehicle theft and conspiracy to commit burglary of a vehicle, all fourth-degree felonies.
