Stabbing Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder

The man believed to be responsible for a June 14 stabbing on Idaho Avenue has been identified and is charged with several felonies including two counts of attempted murder.

Jeffrey L. Cruickshank, 40, is charged with the two counts of attempted murder, and one count each of aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Las Cruces police investigators learned that Cruickshank tried killing the victim by stabbing him in the neck and arm.

Investigators obtained information that identified Cruickshank as the suspect and petitioned Magistrate Court for an arrest warrant. Cruickshank was arrested June 23 on unrelated charges, and the warrant was served June 30 while he was in custody. He is being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight Saturday, June 14, along the 200 block of east Idaho Avenue.

The victim, a 39-year-old man, told police he was sitting in his car when the suspect approached and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The suspect began stabbing the victim after the request was denied.

The victim was able to escape and ran to the Walgreens store on El Paseo Road before being airlifted to hospital in El Paso. The victim has since been released from the hospital.