“Most Wanted” Fugitives Arrested in Roswell, Carlsbad

Two of New Mexico’s most wanted fugitives were arrested Tuesday in Carlsbad and Roswell after months on the run.

Santos Ochoa, 27, and Tino Rodriguez, 29, were on the United States Marshals Service’s “New Mexico’s Most Wanted” list as gang-affiliated fugitives. Ochoa had been on the lam since May, Rodriguez since September 2010.

The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force arrested Ocha after a short foot chase Tuesday in Carlsbad, according to a U.S. Marshals news release. He was wanted by police after his probation was revoked for allegedly stabbing a person in Artesia.

Ochoa’s criminal history includes battery on a policy officer, a felony for possession of a firearm, distributing methamphetamine and burglary.

Rodriguez was on parole for two counts of armed robbery and was wanted for a parole violation. Marshals Service deputies and Roswell detectives tracked down Rodriguez at his residence and arrested him.

Ochoa is believed to be a member of the “Sureno 13″ gang, and Rodriguez is said to be a part of the “Nortenos”.