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David I. Pena
A Las Cruces man suspected of violating a restraining order and trying to abduct his ex-girlfriend Monday afternoon was arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash-only bond, Las Cruces police said in a news release.
David I. Pena, 23, is facing one count each of attempted kidnapping, battery against a household member, interference with communication, violation of a restraining order and criminal damage to property, police said.
Police said Pena’s former girlfriend was leaving her place of work on E. Amador Avenue around 3 p.m. Monday and was talking to a Las Cruces police officer on her cell phone about the restraining order when Pena allegedly approached her from behind and tried to force her into his vehicle.
The officer had called the 19-year-old woman to follow up on a protective order issued on Friday that prohibited Pena from having any contact with the woman, according to the release.
The woman began screaming for help, and her boss and a co-worker came outside to help, at which point Pena fled in his blue Hyundai Sonata, police said. The woman wasn’t injured in the incident.
