Current:Home > StocksTexas man accused of killing New Mexico women and kidnapping an infant faces federal charge -Wealth Nexus Pro
Texas man accused of killing New Mexico women and kidnapping an infant faces federal charge
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:35:20
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Texas man accused of fatally shooting two New Mexico women and taking one of their children and seriously injuring another is now facing a federal kidnapping charge.
Alek Isaiah Collins, 26, appeared Tuesday before a federal judge in Abilene, Texas. He will remain in federal custody pending extradition to New Mexico, where he already faces state charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen, both 23.
The women’s bodies were found May 3 in a park near Clovis, New Mexico, which is close to the Texas border. Authorities also discovered Cisneros’ 5-year-old daughter had been critically wounded and that her 10-month-old daughter was missing.
That kicked off a frantic search. With little to go on, investigators used cell phone records, surveillance video from stores in Clovis and a piece of a broken mirror from a vehicle to track down Collins in Texas.
The girl was found with Collins three days later. Authorities said she was unharmed.
Authorities have said a motive for the shootings and kidnapping remains unclear as Collins isn’t related to any of the victims.
District Attorney Quentin Ray told The Associated Press in an email that the investigation is ongoing.
“The community is heartbroken over the loss of these two vibrant lives and is concerned for the health of the 5-year-old girl,” Ray said. “We have seen an outpouring of love, concern and compassion for the families, in addition to overwhelming gratitude to the law enforcement entities who rescued the baby so quickly and put the alleged perpetrator behind bars.”
A public defender who is representing Collins has not returned messages seeking comment.
According to filings in both state and federal court, Collins rented a car in Texas and drove 270 miles (435 kilometers) to Clovis on May 3. The cell phone records obtained by investigators showed Collins was in the vicinity of the park around the time of the shootings and the kidnapping.
Evidence recovered from the scene included bullet casings and the piece of broken mirror from the vehicle that Collins had rented. Surveillance video showed a car — its license plate matching that of the rental car — with a broken mirror in a fast food drive-thru in Clovis.
Authorities said Collins failed to return the rental car on time and it was remotely disabled by the owner after Collins returned to Texas.
Abilene police preparing to execute a search warrant at a home where Collins was staying reported seeing him carjack an SUV at gunpoint on May 6. They stopped the vehicle, arrested Collins and found the baby girl safe in a rear passenger seat.
veryGood! (734)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Rockets fly, planes grounded: Americans struggle to escape war in Israeli, Palestinian zones
- Who is Mary Lou Retton? Everything to know about the American gymnastics icon
- Gloria Trevi reveals 2024 Mi Soundtrack World tour with epic helicopter entrance at LA event
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Stock market today: Asian shares rise after eased pressure on bonds pushes Wall Street higher
- Are terrorists trying to enter the U.S. through the southern border? Here are the facts.
- AP PHOTOS: Rockets sail and tanks roll in Israeli-Palestinian war’s 5th day
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- In 'Dicks: The Musical', broad jokes, narrow audience
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- A company cancels its plans to recover more Titanic artifacts. Its renowned expert died on the Titan
- Shadowy snitch takes starring role in bribery trial of veteran DEA agents
- 'The Voice': John Legend nabs 'magical' R&B crooner, irritates Gwen Stefani
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Henry Golding and Wife Liv Lo Welcome Baby No. 2
- How Israel's Iron Dome intercepts rockets
- Vaccine hesitancy affects dog-owners, too, with many questioning the rabies shot
Recommendation
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
How to talk to children about the violence in Israel and Gaza
Orioles get swept for 1st time in 2023, lose AL Division Series in 3 games to Rangers
China loses team eventing place at Paris Olympics because horse found with a ‘controlled medication’
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Walmart heir wants museums to attract more people and donates $40 million to help
Grassley pushes Biden administration for information on gun trafficking into Mexico after CBS Reports investigation
Human remains, other evidence recovered from Titan submersible wreckage