Las Cruces Man Breaks Into Gas Station, Still Pays For Cigarettes

A Las Cruces man was arrested after breaking into a convenience store. The man still attempted to pay for the pack of cigarettes he took.

The Las Cruces Police Department arrested a man after he broke into a convenience store Sunday morning. Even though he brok in, the man still attempted to pay $6 for the pack of cigarettes he took.

Around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Battista and a friend went to the Bradley gas station on El Paseo Road to guy a pack of cigarettes.The two men found the store to be closed, even though it normally is open 24 hours a day. Battista pounded on the door and kicked the door, which caused the lower panel of the door to break. Surveillance videos inside the store showed Battista entering the store through the broken door and picked out a pack of cigarettes. He then made sure to show the security cameras the cigarettes he took, as well as the $6 that he left on the counter for the cashier.

Someone witnessed the break-in and called the police. Las Cruces police found Battista and his friend nearby and arrested Battista. His friend hasn't been charged because that person never entered the store.

Ellis C Battusta of Las Cruces has now been charged with break and entering. He is not being charged with stealing though, since he left the money for the cigarettes. At least he has that going for him.

Detectives also wanted to note that there is a Walgreens immediately north of the Bradley gas station that is open 24 hours a day.