City of Deming Responds to Morning Explosion
Explosion in Deming, 35 miles north of US/MX border, plus heightened security in Hidalgo County (border county west of Deming to MX/AZ border) an Las Cruces (in the county east of Deming, MX/NM border). Basically heightened alert across entire New Mexico / Old Mexico border.
http://www.demingradio.com/local-news
DEMING- The City of Deming has released the official statement regarding the explosion and devices found in Deming.
Deming Interm Chief of Police Jose Montoya told Deming Radio News that at approximately 7:30 am this morning, The Deming Police Department responded to reports of an explosion at the Adult Probation Office located at 920 S. Silver Street in Deming.
Upon arrival, officers observed the explosion, and found a second suspicious device near the entrance of the building. Officers acted quickly and set up a security perimeter and safely evacuated citizens from the neighborhood.
Chief Montoya said that the New Mexico State Police’s Bomb Squad was summoned to investigate the device. Surveillance footage was obtained by a nearby building and vehicle description of possible suspect was obtained.
At about 12:00om, officers located the vehicle of interest and a vehicle pursuit ensured. The pursuit ended at Interstate 10 Westbound near exit 82. New Mexico State Police took the female driver of the vehicle into custody. The driver of the vehicle has not officially been identified by the Deming Police Department.
Interstate 10 reopened in both directions at 4:30pm after the NMSP bomb squad cleared the black pickup truck.
The area near the Adult Probation Officer is still closed. Law Enforcement are asking citizens to please be patient and please avoid these areas of closure to prevent traffic backups.
The investigation has been turned over to the New Mexico State Police.
Montoya said that the Deming Police Department did not report any injuries in this incident at this time.
Deming Radio News received the following statement from NM Senator Siah Correa Hemphill who is currently in Santa Fe for the 30-day Legislative Session.
(SANTA FE, NM) – Today Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Silver City) released the following statement:
“New Mexico legislative staff and I are closely monitoring confirmed reports of an explosion in Deming, as well as the heightened security posture in Hidalgo County and Las Cruces. To the first responders who are on the ground right now: thank you for keeping New Mexicans safe today and every day. I am grateful we can celebrate the swift action by our law enforcement agencies.”
Impacted residents are encouraged to consult advisories from local law enforcement for further information.
KDEM and KOTS Radio News is following this story and will have updates as they are made by official government agencies.