On Saturday, July 1 at approximately 2:00 am, officers responded to a report of a person down, bleeding, and in and-out of consciousness in the area of Turner and Roxanna streets. Officers arrived and observed Stephen Cervantes, a 21-year-old from Hobbs, suffering from a stab wound and other injuries consistent with a battery.
Cervantes gave a brief statement to officers that he had gone to a house to meet up with his girlfriend. Upon arrival, Cervantes said he spoke with two men sitting on the porch of the residence, Cristobal Duenez, 22, and Zakkery Salazar, 24, both of Hobbs. A physical altercation began between Duenez and Cervantes. Salazar approached them with a large knife and struck Cervantes. Duenez then grabbed the weapon and stabbed Cervantes in the leg. Cervantes then fled the scene.
Cervantes was transported to Lea Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Witnesses directed officers to a residence in the 1100 block of S. Dalmont, where the altercation allegedly occurred. Duenez was located and detained at this location. Officers also located Salazar, hiding under an abandoned vehicle in the backyard of the residence. He was also detained, at which time officers conducted a search of the area where Salazar had been hiding and located a knife.
Both suspects were subsequently arrested for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. Magistrate Judge
LaBree issued an Appearance Bond and released Duenez. Magistrate Judge Henry held Salazar in custody
without bond.
Cervantes was last listed in non-critical condition.
(Press release from Hobbs Police)
