Murder suspect Melecio Baca is on the lam

NMSP News:

CHAPELLE — The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was called Tuesday, June 20, to investigate an apparent homicide at 437 County Road B27 in Chapelle, N.M.

NMSP Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 10:30 p.m., June 20, a NMSP officer conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 25 near mile marker 330 was approached by a male subject. The male subject told the officer he believed that his son had just shot someone.

With this information, officers responded to 437 County Road B27 and located a male victim deceased with an apparent gunshot injury. The male victim was identified as Juanito Baca, 36, of Las Vegas, N.M. Baca was pronounced deceased by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Through the investigation, NMSP agents learned, Melecio Baca, 53, of Las Vegas was responsible for the murder and fled the scene in a Red 2005 GMC truck. 

A Be On The Lookout (BOLO) was broadcast to law enforcement agencies and an arrest warrant was issued for an open count of murder for Melecio Baca on June 21, 2023.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Melecio Baca is asked to contact NMSP at 505.425.6771.

This case is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.