LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A man accused of stealing scrap metal and vehicle parts in Chaparral now is in custody.
Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies say 20-year-old Lorenzo Cano is being held on a $5,000 secured bond on suspicion of non-residential burglary.
On Dec. 20, a sheriff's deputy noticed a group of men standing near a pickup truck loaded with scrap metal.
After talking to the men, the deputy determined the scrap metal and various vehicle parts didn't belong to any of them.
Authorities say Cano allegedly admitted to stealing the metal after climbing a 6-foot tall chain link fence into the neighboring property.
Cano reportedly told deputies he intended to take the scrap metal to a recycling plant to exchange for cash.
It was unclear yesterday if Cano has legal representation yet.