Posted at: 07/05/2009 4:54 PM
Updated at: 07/05/2009 6:06 PM
By: Jeff Maher, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

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Man jailed after killing burglary suspect

Luke Sanchez

38-year-old Luke Sanchez was jailed Sunday, charged with one open count of murder. Friends of Sanchez say he's a former marine who served as a military policeman.

He lived in Belen working as a farmer.

Deputies say Saturday night, Sanchez was driving down Highway 314 around 10:15 p.m. when he spotted two men leaving Enchantment Propane in a rush.

Deputies say the two men had just burglarized the place.

Sanchez got behind their vehicle to try to get a plate number. That's when deputies say the suspects stopped and one of them got out and approached Sanchez and smashed out his window.

After a short fight, deputies say, Sanchez pulled out a gun and shot one of the suspects in the head, killing him.

The other suspect took off and remains on the loose. Deputies were able to recover the vehicle, but say they have a lot more to investigate.

Valencia County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Trujillo said Sunday, “We're going to continue interviewing the witnesses on scene, as well as try and determine who that second suspect was that fled the scene, and get him charged as well.” Friends of Sanchez say this is not the first time he's caught suspects committing a crime. They say he's been burglarized repeatedly out on his farm.