Police Evacuate Las Cruces Mall – Suspicious Package Bomb Threat

The Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces has been closed and evacuated after a suspicious package was left near the entrance to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

An man wearing a disguise is believed to have dropped off the package before leaving the mall as he headed north away from the scene. A report of the suspect is believed to be Anglo, approximately 6’4” and he was seen wearing a white wig and beard, similar to a Santa Claus beard. The suspect was also wearing sunglasses to hide his face. Several witnesses were able to give Las Cruces police a description of the suspect.

The package was discovered outside the bookstore shortly before 1 p.m.

UPDATE: All is clear. Two police robots tore apart the package and nothing was found. The suspect is still at large.