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Deadline Arrives For Las Cruces Threats

POSTED: 8:54 pm MDT September 21, 2006
UPDATED: 5:42 am MDT September 22, 2006

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Today is the deadline for the city of Las Cruces to respond to an extortion threat.

Last week, the City of Crosses received threatening notes warning that people would be shot if the city did not pay a ransom by today.

Mayor Bill Mattiace said he believes the threats are a hoax, but officials are still taking it seriously and taking precautions. FBI agents, State Police, county deputies and city police officers are all in Las Cruces hoping to prevent an attack.


Police are hard at work trying to figure out who sent the treatening letters, but they have not made any arrests yet. A handful of local businesses have donated $5,000 each for a total of $50,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of whomever is responsible.

Meanwhile, this weekend an additional 50,000 to 80,000 people are expected to attend "The Whole Enchilada Festival". Its director said he doesn't expect that number to get any smaller because of the threats.

There is a 24-hour hot line set up for information anyone might have about the extortion case. That number is 505-635-9934.

Previous Stories:
Sept. 20, 2006: Las Cruces Newspaper Releases Deadline Listed In Threat Letter
Sept. 19, 2006: Officials Offer Reward In Las Cruces Threat Case
Sept. 15, 2006: Las Cruces Receives Terror Threat
Copyright 2006 by KOAT.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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