Douglas ranchers do not believe Krentz's murder will be solved
Posted: Mar 28, 2011 8:48 PM CDT Updated: Mar 28, 2011 8:48 PM CDT
By Steve Nunez, Reporter - bio | email

Reporter: Steve Nuñez

DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) – It's now been one year since a suspected drug smuggler shot and killed Douglas Rancher Rob Krentz but with the days and months passing by other area ranchers are losing confidence his murder will be solved. So what has really changed along the border since Krentz's killing? Nine On your Side spent two days at the border talking to other area ranchers who are doing all they can to make life difficult for smugglers coming across.

Lynn Kartchner, armed with a sidearm, took Nine On Your Side Reporter Steve Nuñez and Photo Journalist Chris Miracle to the murder scene.

"The shooting happened right here," said Kartchner pointing to a bush. "And at the time there were marks where the Polaris spun the tires as he tried to escape but he was already shot."

Cochise County Sheriff's tracked size 11 shoe prints 20-miles south where they stopped cold about a mile north of the border.

Investigators believe the killer was a drug smuggler. To this day, Krentz's murder remains a mystery.

But Kartchner has his own way of getting even without breaking the law.

"My own personal effort is to harass illegal's in any way that I possibly can and hope to get them arrested," said Kartchner. "And that's my contribution."

From the murder scene, Kartchner drives two miles further north to a spot near the top of a hill.

Just as the sun sets, he assembles his 1969 star-light telescope on a mount he designed to fit the bed of his truck.

The night scope allows him to see any type of movement from as far away as the border. Meanwhile, Bill, who is armed with an AK-47, guards our back.

Kartchner denies he's a vigilante or a racist.

"I'm not that sort of a racist," answered Kartchner. "I'm talking about a group of people here and they can define themselves. If you're out here smuggling drugs I'm against you whoever you are."

According to police reports, Krentz came across a smuggler who stopped to rest while on his way back to Mexico. Kartchner believes smugglers traveling south are just as dangerous because they're just as desperate to get back without getting caught so they can get paid.

But after three hours of surveillance, Kartchner admits he's yet to spot any one coming across on twelve different sorties like this one.

Yet, Kartchner defends his actions and claims its working to deter smugglers.

"If you can divert them across their path that's a success," said Kartchner. "If we can make them respond to us that puts us in some control over illegal activity."

By dawn, KGUN9 News caught up with New Mexico Rancher Bill Miller. He said the pain of losing his good friend has left a void in the lives of many, especially Rob's wife Suzie.

"Under the circumstances Steve, I think they're doing okay," said Miller. "Until we have generational change we'll always have some remorse and won't be real happy about what has transpired."

But as each day passes, Miller believes Krentz's murder may never be solved. Instead, Miller's doing his part to honor his friend by working closely with Border Patrol. He allows its helicopters to land at a refueling station near his house.

Agent John Mason calls the partnership paramount to border security. Flying back to Douglas means he'd have to give up chase on a group that's crossing through the nearby Chiricahua Mountains.

"We've caught five," said pilot Mason. "So far, we're trying to round up the other ten."

Nuñez asked: How many more of them are coming across carrying drugs?

"I'd say ten years ago 5% were carrying drugs now it's to the point 40-50% are carrying drugs," said Mason.

As far as change? Miller said securing the border is not just an issue for politicians to solve. He claims he's seen better results, firsthand, working directly with agents.

"If we couldn't work with them I don't think that we would be near where we are today," said Miller.

Still, both Miller and Kartchner want to see more agents positioned right at the border fence. They believe this preventive strategy would stop illegal immigrants and smugglers at the point of entry as opposed to chasing them down once they've come across.

As for Krentz's murder investigation, Cochise County Sheriff's have identified a person of interest but do not know if that person is in the U.S. or in Mexico.

http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=14338179