Arrested for burglary was 19-year-old Rene Saenz.
According to a Luna County Sheriff’s Department report, Saenz was seen by a neighbor Monday morning outside a residence on Boothill Road in the county.
The neighbor, a 79-year-old woman, called another neighbor – a 71-year-old woman – who approached Saenz, and was told by Saenz that his name was “Joseph” and he worked for Verizon.
The woman noted Saenz’ license plate number and was attempting to dial 911 when Saenz grabbed her cell phone, got in his car and drove off.
The woman then pulled out a .38-special revolver and fired five rounds at Saenz’s fleeing vehicle.
Sheriff’s officials tracked Saenz, who eventually admitted to grabbing the woman’s Jitterbug-brand cell phone, which was located in Saenz’s bedroom.
The house belonging to the woman in her 90’s had been robbed about a month ago, and Sheriff’s officials said Saenz may face charges for that robbery as well.
Saenz was uninjured by the gunshots, but reportedly did have high blood pressure following the incident.