Police see spike of home break-ins

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - There's been a recent rash of brazen home break-ins in southeastern New Mexico. In some cases, the suspects knock on the door and ask for help before busting their way in.   

Police have arrested one woman they said is connected to at least one home invasion. Now they're trying to find out whether any of these crimes are connected.

Saturday morning around 5:30 a.m., a woman knocked on the door of a 75-year-old man's home in the 1600 block of south Sunset Avenue, and it turns out she wasn't alone.

"By the time you open the door, the guy's got you at his mercy," said the man, who did not want be identified.
     
The male victim said he opened the door to let the woman use his phone after she claimed her car broke down. That's when a man burst inside his home.

"He shoved me down and had that screw driver in my throat," recalled the victim.

The couple ransacked his place, and took off with several items, including his wife's wedding ring.
     
Police said 24-year-old Erica Peterson was arrested Sunday for that crime. Police asked that media not show her photo at this time, because detectives don't want to jeopardize other similar investigations.

"During the holidays there is usually a spike of burglaries, home invasions that sort of thing," said Sabrina Morales, Public Information Liaison with the Roswell Police Department.

Two weeks ago, a 74-year-old man was threatened with a knife at his home, by what he said was a male and female. The female had knocked on his door, and asked to use the bathroom in that case.   

The following weekend, Michael Samario and Richard Thyberg were arrested for busting into a family's home, beating up a home-owner, and stealing money. Police said the two are not connected with other recent home break-ins.

Then, Monday afternoon, one woman went to let her barking dogs outside in the 400 block of Saucedo, and was caught by surprise when an unknown man was at her back porch.

"He was right outside the door and when I shut the door and I saw him I don't think I shut it well enough because the door flew open," recalled the victim, who wants to remain anonymous.  "And honestly, I don't remember if he hit me first and I hit the panic button or if I hit the panic button and then he hit me, everything is just kind of foggy."

The man knocked her out, and gave her a black eye before he ran off. The female victim said her German Shepherd and home alarm system likely scared the suspect away.

The woman described that man as a young, thin, Hispanic male, possibly in his early 20s.      

Police are still trying to identify the man working with Peterson in Saturday's home invasion. Roswell police said they're committed to solving these crimes. It's still unclear whether any of the other break-ins are connected.