Bobby Charles Crawford sentenced to 54 years for Attempted Murder in Police Altercation

March 22, 2024 I Las Cruces- Bobby Charles Crawford, 47, was sentenced today to 54 years in Third District Court. Crawford was found guilty by a Las Cruces jury and convicted of 2 counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, 2 counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, 1 count of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.   

On June 21, 2023, a New Mexico State Police officer began following a white Chevrolet Suburban suspected of belonging to Crawford who had a warrant for his arrest.  A Las Cruces police officer unit responded to the area to assist.  Crawford fled, engaging the officers in a chase through residential neighborhoods, endangering the lives of civilians.  Ultimately driving into the desert area east of Holman Road and South of Arroyo Road in Las Cruces.

In effort to stop Crawford, a Las Cruces Police Officer placed his vehicle in front of Crawfords vehicle to force him to comply.  Passing around the officer’s patrol unit, Crawford fired at the police vehicle and other law enforcement vehicles as they began to surround him.  Officers returned fire.   Crawford barricaded himself inside of the SUV, ultimately surrendering to the officers. 

“Crawford has a long history of criminal conduct.  In this case, Officers were within microseconds and millimeters of certain death. Those police officers involved, dedicated their lives to keep the public safe from a dangerous criminal. The jury verdict demonstrated that Doña Ana County juries will assign accountability for proven criminal behavior. The sentencing reflects that this dangerous convict will not pose a future threat to the public or public servants.”-District Attorney Gerald Byers.