APD charges 2 for weekend murder at SE apartment

APD homicide detectives charged a couple for Sunday’s robbery and shooting death of a man at his apartment in Southeast Albuquerque.

Detectives tracked the phone the pair stole from the victim and they were arrested late Monday by New Mexico State Police at the Villanueva State Park near Las Vegas.

James Caleb Gonzales, 26, and Destiny Pacheco, 31, are both charged with an open count of murder with a firearm enhancement, conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, receiving/transferring a stolen motor vehicle, three counts of unauthorized use of debit cards, and resisting arrest.

Gonzales and Pacheco are accused of going to the apartment at 1015 Valencia Dr., S.E. with the intent of robbing Harry Velarde, 75, who met Pacheco several days earlier. Velarde had allowed Pacheco to stay at his apartment for a few days.

Detectives determined that Gonzales was armed with a handgun during the robbery and started a physical confrontation with Velarde before shooting him in the abdomen. Velarde died as a result of the gunshot wound.

Gonzales and Pacheco fled with some of Velarde’s belongings, including mobile phones and his identification and debit cards. Detectives tracked one of the phones to different locations throughout Albuquerque and conducted surveillance as the pair used Velarde’s debit card.

Detectives investigated through the day Monday to identify Gonzales and Pacheco. They learned that Gonzales and Pacheco carjacked the vehicle they were driving. Detectives also matched the bullet casing from Sunday’s homicide to an incident on March 3, 2024 in which Gonzales is suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend.

Gonzales had two firearms with him when he was arrested on Monday. He also had Velarde’s ID.