Santa Fe Murder Suspect Arrested in Las Cruces

A Santa Fe, N.M., murder suspect was arrested Saturday evening in Las Cruces but not before he and an accomplice allegedly committed an armed robbery at local fast-food restaurant and carjacked a Chevrolet Impala from a woman.

Zachary Ryan Babitz, 38, was booked in the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is held on a warrant from Santa Fe that charges him with a felony count of murder, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and parole violation.

Babitz still faces several felony charges for incidents that occurred in Las Cruces. Las Cruces police are still investigating the incidents that occurred locally.

Police have learned that Babitz was released from prison in March 2024 and has an extensive criminal history.

About 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, Las Cruces police learned of an armed robbery that occurred at Arby’s, 2341 E. Lohman Ave. Police learned a man and woman entered the restaurant where the man pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money.

After leaving the restaurant, the couple allegedly forced a woman out of her vehicle at gunpoint at 2305 E. Lohman Ave. Shortly thereafter, the stolen vehicle crashed near Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive.

Both suspects fled from the crash. Police located and detained Babitz nearby. His female accomplice has yet to be identified or located.

The woman whose car was stolen near Arby’s was not physically injured.

In Santa Fe, Babitz is wanted for the Aug. 6, 2024, fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson. For specifics on the crimes Babitz is suspected of committing in Santa Fe, please contact the Santa Fe Police Department.

Police also learned the car Babitz and his female accomplice drove to the Arby’s restaurant was reported stolen out of Albuquerque. For more information on that incident, contact the Albuquerque Police Department.

A female accomplice of Babitz, whose name and age are unknown at this time, fled from the crash and has not yet been identified or located. She was last seen on the 2400 block of Missouri Avenue in Las Cruces, and it appears she cut her hair, a braid, to avoid being recognized.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the woman who was with Babitz is asked to call police at (575) 526-0795.