Suspect in custody in Bernalillo stabbing

BERNALILLO — A man was sent to the hospital Jan. 27 with serious stab wounds after an incident at the corner of U.S. 550 and Camino Del Pueblo in Bernalillo.

Armando Escarcega, 37, of Algodones, was arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon near the scene.

According to the criminal complaint, an intoxicated witness told police he and the victim bought tacos from a food truck in the area and wanted to go to the dispensary. The victim stayed outside while the witness went in. From inside, the witness saw the victim and Escarcega yelling at each other from across the road intersection. The victim allegedly ran across the highway, and the two began fighting. The victim ran back across and told the witness he’d been “stabbed up.”

Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed that the suspect already possessed a knife when the victim approached and stabbed the victim several times in the chest, arm and back.

The criminal complaint also notes that the victim was bleeding heavily and in need of serious need of medical attention when police arrived.

Escarcega, who was noted as being intoxicated, spoke with an officer at the scene but was not cooperative and said he didn’t want to give a statement. He was detained and taken to Bernalillo Police Department. He reportedly told officers he didn’t know what happened and that all he knew was he was eating tacos. He was summoned to court Jan. 28. If convicted, he will face up to three years in prison.