Albuquerque –
Albuquerque Police Department detectives arrested a suspect in Monday’s murder of a man at his home in the Foothills.
APD identified Juan R Portillo-Mendez, 43, as the suspect accused of killing 40-year-old Humberto Dominguez-Ortiz by striking him in the head with a metal object. During a search of the victim’s yard, detectives found a bloodied pipe.
On August 11th at 7:11 AM, Dominguez-Ortiz called police and reported that Portillo-Mendez, whom he described as a former friend who was upset with him, and had threatened him. An officer responded and took the report.
Later that night at 11:46 PM, Dominguez-Ortiz called 911 and said he believed Portillo-Mendez was trying to enter his home in a trailer park at 12336 Fox Ln. SE. As a dispatcher worked to send officers, Dominguez-Ortiz reported that Portillo-Mendez was trying to break in through the front door. Police state that the 911 call-taker heard a struggle over the phone line around 11:51 PM, and reported hearing several “thuds” consistent with a metal object striking someone.
At 12:01 AM on August 12th, officers arrived at Dominguez-Ortiz’s home and began knocking. After no response from Dominguez-Ortiz, officers forced entry at 12:03 AM, and found him lying on his side with severe head trauma. Rescue personnel rushed him to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
During the investigation, APD homicide detectives discovered surveillance footage of a man exiting Dominguez-Ortiz’s residence at 11:53 PM, which is shortly after the 911 call-taker heard the altercation.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and began searching for Portillo-Mendez. Detectives with APD’s Investigative Support Unit arrested Juan Portillo-Mendez late Tuesday in Carnuel, east of Albuquerque. They tracked him to the East Mountains, located his vehicle, and subsequently took him into custody.
According to APD, officers charged Portillo-Mendez with an open count of murder and aggravated burglary. He was booked into the Metro Detention Center on August 13.
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[…] APD Arrests Suspect in Deadly Foothills Home Invasion […]
[…] 43, who is accused of bludgeoning to death 40-year-old Humberto Dominguez-Ortiz at his residence in the Foothills area during the late hours of August 11th. Portillo Mendez is known to law enforcement and is now facing additional charges that were filed […]