In this body cam footage, officers respond after a neighbor reports a woman who appears to be unlawfully inside a home tied up in a legal gray area. The woman claims she returned to retrieve paperwork [music] related to child support, but entering without a key quickly raises concerns of trespassing. As her story starts to shift and the property's ownership status becomes more complicated, police step in [music] to sort out the facts and prevent the situation from escalating. This video offers a clear real-world look at how law [music] enforcement handles sensitive civil disputes where the line between a misunderstanding and a criminal violation can be razor thin. You were the one that called? No, yes, she was the one that called. It's because I'm Hi, my name is Claudia Cruz and I'm Philip's ex um girlfriend from six years and I had permission where I had called his parents to see if I can just come pick up a box here with a bunch of papers from, you know, child support and all that and I just didn't go in through the front door. I didn't think nothing of it, but I have the papers and I'm waiting for them to bring them that way. >> have the keys? No, I do not have the keys. So, I went I went in through the side door to the side window because he had told How can you show me that you have permission? >> Well, that's why I'm I'm trying to see if my sister can bring down the papers cuz I don't want any problems or anything. >> You don't want huh? No, that's our place. >> Yeah, that's our neighbor that called. >> She's suspect. Yeah, no, I'm Yeah, I've been a girlfriend of Philip for six years. This is a head over here? >> Yeah, no, no, no, we're fine. You want to talk to him? You want to talk with them? Is it just you by yourself? Yes, I was just me by myself. One of my Well, one of my friends had came, but I guess he He took off? He took off. What do you mean he took off? Why did he take off? So, who whose house is this? >> This is Philip's house. It's my ex of six years six years, but me and him have left each other had left each other and he got raided with the people that were staying. >> But that So, you guys have have been separated for over 6 years? >> no, no. We were together for 6 years, but we've been separated for like almost a year or 2. It's going to be a Okay, so this is his house. Where is he at? He honestly, after he they got raided and busted, he I the last time I spoke with him, he was at Memorial Medical Center. So, what what what where did you get the idea that Because he had wrote saying where where I can come over here and get my papers because I need my child support papers and I have the papers from but I hadn't came over here at all. >> Can you move your unit? Can you move your unit? And I just didn't want any problems, but I thought it was easier because he told me he specifically he told me Okay, so I'm going to read you something. >> Yeah, I don't know. You're fine. All right, so you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer, have him present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer my questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights as I've explained them to you? Yes, sir. Okay, with these rights in mind, do you want to talk about it? Do you want to talk? Um sure. I just said I can. Yes or no? Um no. You don't want to talk? Well, yes, so I don't really have anything bad to hide or anything. I just want >> So, something else. Do you want to talk to me or not? >> No, I do not. Do you have your ID on you? Yes, I do. What Which one is your vehicle that you came in? No, I didn't come in my vehicle. It's because we're at a party down here at my friend's um family house. So, I thought it was a good idea to come over here because there hasn't been over anybody over here cuz lately there was people that had gotten busted with him coming over left and right and I just didn't want any contact with them whatsoever, but apparently I came at a bad time. >> so how did you get here? I walked over here cuz my vehicle was parked over here down >> then where did you Did your friend walk over here, too? Yeah, he walked over here, but he took off running. I don't even know why he got all scared because a neighbor called the police. Because what you're doing is illegal. >> I know, sir, but I specifically asked Philip if if it was Then you should have had him escort you here when he was here. Okay. I apologize. >> a totally different different thing. You're breaking into a house. You didn't have a key. You went in through a window. Yeah, the window was open, so I thought it was easier to go in through there. Then Then through an open door? Yes, because it's blocked through the front door. Well, that's what I'm saying. >> I know. I just didn't because I had his permission. I just didn't think nothing of it. I apologize for that. And then when the neighbor said she was going to call the cops, then I said, "That's fine. Why don't have anything to hide or like I'm breaking into your home." But you are. That's why your friend left. Well, where did your friend leave to? I don't know. He took off >> And you saw him on Royal Road? Oh, yes. I saw him on Royal Road. How can I get a hold of Philip? Honestly, ever since the last time I seen Philip was since Honestly, since last year. So, you haven't seen Philip in a whole year, and you thought it was a good idea after a whole year of not talking to this person to come to his house, break in through his bedroom window. I did I say I did not break in. It was open, the window. Cuz I even looked through the side door and and So, just So, just because my house has an open window, No, sir. doesn't give you the right to go in, right? >> I'm also sorry. All right. So, you have no way of getting in contact with Philip. No, I don't have his contact. Uh do you have anything on you? Any weapons or anything like that? >> No, I don't have anything. I apologize. Okay. Well, don't Don't reach in there. I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean Okay. Do you Do me a favor. Just leave your purse over here. All right. I'm going to ask you that you turn around. Turn around and face me. You're being You're being detained. You're not being arrested. You're being detained. The handcuffs will come off as as they go on. It's just so I can investigate this property. I can't do that while you're standing right here in front of me. Okay. Okay. She's saying that she was at a party around the corner. Did the guy that took off where she came with ran on foot also or did he took off in the vehicle? >> was one on foot that came out of the house with her and then there was one that was parked in the Dodge parked in the driveway like So there was yeah there was two other people So when when did the guy in the truck take off? Um when I got on the phone with you guys oh you don't need a you don't need to call you don't need to call he he honked twice and left. He didn't even turn his lights on nothing so I couldn't even see his light his plate. >> Yeah no worries. Okay. Um we're just trying to see who because Philip died right so >> Correct I have I have a sister Rachel on the phone. Right so we're trying to see if so if Philip was the owner of this property right we need to see who is now the owner of the property. So It's there's the gentleman who is in charge of the probate it's having it go through probate and there is a gentleman that my dad actually just texted to let know that there was people at the house. Okay. But do we know who owns the house right now? We we would need like physical some sort of physical proof of that. Right now. >> Like I'm trying to Other than that what we have what we have is so if we if we went along that lines like say for instance if your the brother was still alive then we would have a potential burglary if not at least at the bare minimum breaking and entering but because the unfortunate circumstances we don't have a technical victim at this time however there is posted no trespassing signs around the house so what we do have is a trespassing so I can still charge her based off of that. Well I mean the house everything went to my brother's son my brother has a living son. Yes but we we would need like actual proof physical proof documentation of that. Well so technically the house is in probate so you need to talk to the gentleman who is in charge of the probate because he's the one who technically has charge of the house right now. Is that the Cardinal Trust that shows up on the New Mexico courts? Um I'm not sure. My dad has the guy's number though. It's It's a trust company that got a Bible church. Yeah, cuz on his on his court documents for Yeah, cuz for his probate but it's going Yeah, it's going through probate and there's an actual probate company that's handling it or there's like my dad hired people but it's not All right. I I I understand what you're saying. That That's not the issue we're having. What What the issue that we're having right now is that we need We need physical documents in order to prove that in order to charge a an a felony crime. Do you need to see the paperwork that's going through probate or you need to see Do you see my dad's still making the house payment? You need to see the house payment or do you need to see the what? >> No, what we need to see who who's the owner of the house right now. Right now, as it as it stands right now. We need that. It's a trust >> we're going to need to call him anyway. All right. The house is in probate. Yes, ma'am. I I Does Does your dad have the number to the person who who has who has the thing for the probate? There's no technical like the guy who's in charge of it doesn't own it. Until the probate goes through, there is no owner because my brother passed away. I It's in probate. The probate people are who own it right now. Right. And That's what you want to say. Yes, and that That's the That's the answer I'm looking for is that it is there There is no technical owner. No, I'm Yes, ma'am. I I understand I and I'm not trying to make this more difficult, but the the the clear answer is that at this current time, there is no um legitimate owner. They They're a temporary uh I guess So, with no owner, anybody can just go and do whatever the hell they want at my brother's house? No, ma'am. That's why I specifically said that I still have charges of trespassing for her. It's posted no trespassing. She's clearly not able supposed to be here on the property. Now, the the only way I could get to a higher charge is with a victim by naming a victim to appear in court who says that they want to pursue charges. That that is >> just want I just wanted to at least be trespassing and get some sort of something to at least deter her from going back. >> That and that's exactly what I said is that she would be trespassing. I would charge her criminally with trespassing. I I would still need to go to court. I would still testify, but at with that I don't need a a victim to go to court in that charge. >> basically if if you're going to get higher charges, the I need a victim. >> the dude from the probate the the guy who has the probate paperwork. I didn't say that. I just had no more. I understand but it's So, you're you're okay with just a trespass for now? Yeah, as long as they give her some sort of something a ticket or something to show that she was there. Yes, ma'am. That That's exactly what I That's what it I was going to do at the very minimum is what I had said. Yeah, but if if you want if you want extra charges, the guy that has the that's doing the probate for for your brother, he would have to he would have to call down since he's in Albuquerque, he would have to call down and say yes, nobody's supposed to be there. I want to press extra charges. So, we we would need an owner of the property. No, that that's because he's not the owner. Yes, because it's there's no technical owner. >> Okay, I I understood wrong there because there's technically no owner. Yes, your dad's still making the payments on the house and everything, there's still no technical owner until pretty much the probate is complete. >> that's Yeah, no. So, just just trespassing and these malicious mischiefs. Yes. Well, she's going to be arrested. >> She's going to be arrested tonight. Okay, that's perfect. That's Yeah, no, that's That's perfect. All righty, ma'am. So, um So, there there was actually more people here than what you had originally stated. No, there was honestly those people might have came in before for us. Um I just barely got here not too long ago and it was just me and my friend Pelon. Like I'm not lying to you in the journey. >> So, so give me a second. So, there there was a guy who was in a truck? >> Yes, there was a guy that was there cuz he's the one that brought me over here. Yeah. All right. Okay, but you see you told me that you walked over here. So, you didn't see how there's a difference there. >> I apologize for that. Yes, no. Yeah, he There was the guy in the truck that brought me over here with I don't know that guy, but my friend Pelon was with him and he gave us a ride over here because my truck was >> What's Pelon's name? Luis Cipriano. What's the last name? Sorry. Luis Cipriano. It's almost Yeah, and we were You were about a phone number. I don't have a phone number. Can you get a hold of him through Facebook? So, he has a phone, but he doesn't have a phone number? No, he Well, he just gets on to Facebook. That's how I have him because I was with my friend Rosie, his sister at a family party, so he went over there and I just thought it was easy for them to give me a ride over here to come and get. So, who who all went inside? It's just me and Pelon. So, you and Pelon go inside. Mhm. And what is the other guy's name that goes in? I don't know the other guy's name. He was just giving me Well, he No, he's Pelon's friend, but I don't know his name. Okay. So, you and Pelon go inside and then what happens? And then we just went straight to Philip's room. Well, how did you guys get inside first of all? >> Because of the side window that was open cuz Philip had already told me that the >> was boarded up. The window was not boarded up. It was, the board is still there. Yeah, the board is still there, but it was not boarded up. You thinking I'm going to open the window and go in there while it's boarded up. Well, that's how the rest of the house is. Yeah, but the window was open like somebody else had a little gun in there or something. There's no need for me to lie to you. And I went in there because he had already told me if anything, which he told me the last time when he got arrested, if you need to go in, go in through the side door because the other doors are boarded. And when I got here, there was no there was that board, but the board was not in the window. Okay. >> That's why I thought it was easy to >> So but the rest of the house is boarded up and you Yes, the rest of the house You still thought that was a good idea to go in? Through the side door. Yes, and I know it was not a good idea. Yes. All right. So then So then what while you guys are inside, you and Belon, what happens? We hear somebody calling the cops. That's when we came right outside. Like we we barely were in there not even for like probably like 2 minutes. So you guys never heard two honks? No, I never heard two. Oh, yeah, we heard two honks and he said that's what Belon told me. He said did this fool honk? And I was like I don't know. But he's the one that I mean did you hear that this dude honked and I said I don't know. But then that's when I heard the neighbor calling the cops and that's why I was like let's go outside with him because I know cuz I think the neighbor's calling the cops and he took off running and I came out here and I stayed there till she called you guys and I wanted to tell my sister to bring me the pictures where I was allowed to go in there that you know I was in there. >> Philip is deceased? I know he was pronounced >> then why didn't you tell me that? Because You said you made it seem like he was still alive. You hadn't talked to him for a year. Of course you're never going to talk to him again if he's dead, right? So why didn't you just say that? Because I don't really know if he's dead or not. What do you mean? He's dead. The last time I seen him was at Memorial after he got transferred from Lompoc County. After that, I didn't see him. He was He supposedly he was >> So So what makes you think that having paid a paper from a person that's dead is still going to be valid? Would be I didn't Oh, that's because I've never done this before in of Well, maybe this is probably your last one because that was really, really silly. Why do you need to just like really needed those papers so I thought that it was a good idea to come >> Then you should have got a hold of the family members. I know, but the family members do not speak to me. Well, if you have paperwork in there, then you can take them to civil court. There's always There's There's >> I I just didn't think about it that way. All right. I'll be right with you. No, thank you. Can you really put the one that was down? Oh, yeah. Please take it down. Uh we can send her in. What photos do you have on your phone? Um You got photos of like how it was prior? Okay, yeah, yeah. We could use that for sure. Yeah, we could definitely use that. Yeah, cuz I've been the one every time they they come over, I'm the one who's re-securing that stuff. The only I mean, this guy is lying a lot, but the only thing she did mention though was that the the board was already off and the window was already open. The window open? Yes, because it was >> broken. It had been broken. It had been broken. So, yes, it was it was already So, that's why she's saying she thought it was a good idea to go in there. No, cuz it's been boarded like that. Right. And I I believe it because [laughter] you heard the wind chime which obviously indicated that they moved the wood, right? Yeah. That's all. Uh-huh. Yeah, we've replaced the and even I have pictures of how you know, how we had things to where you you had to climb over to be able to and it's happened multiple times. Like Yeah, you could even see somebody tried kicking in the front door. Not today. I don't know how long that is. It's every time and then I you can see how I taped the windows, you know, got pictures from the side window. I think one of the screens on the other side is off. I don't know if you need to re- may need to retake that on the other side. Which But yeah, we just put random things in weird places that you know it's not going to fall and >> Right. Yeah, that you can tell are very obvious if they've been moved or anything like that. Little tap on the box. Okay. All righty. What we'll do is um we'll just go that route. Um in the event that we are able to uh upgrade the the charges, it would be we'd have to dismiss the trespassing and then charge her with a more serious crime. Okay. >> Um so the breaking and entering is still going to be a third degree. We can't She didn't actually She hasn't taken anything. So because her hands were clear and empty, right? So but we could possibly say that she had the intent to but the problem is is that she's saying that she went in to get her own belongings rather than Yeah, there's not There's nothing in there. Me and his sister and some friends cleared So she's >> [laughter] >> She's saying She's saying that she has a paper signed by Philip uh from over a year ago that gave her permission to retrieve her belongings. I I'm not saying that it's true. I'm not saying it's true, but I'm saying in a court of law that that could be used as defense to say that they had no intent of taking anything else other than her own belongings, which is which would dismiss the burglary. So that's why we would go possibly with the breaking and entering because at the very least they still had to make entry by opening the window or moving something the wood off the roof. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, exactly. Um so breaking or dismantling anything to to obtain entry. So again, at the very least it's still fourth degree. Um but uh without any clear evident answer of an owner present, we we would just go with the trespassing. The great thing is that you guys have these. Yeah. The the the $3 I spent per per sign was good. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Oh yeah. I thought you So you >> said? She's the ex-girlfriend to She's the She's the ex-girlfriend of the guy who used to live here. He got raided back in November of last year, then he died of cancer. Okay. Nobody is supposed to be here. I was just on the phone with his sister right now. And nobody's supposed to be here. They're going in through a busted window from on this side that we boarded up multiple times. That window So, that board was up That board was up against the And that was up against the window? >> it's been blocking it. And that was up today? Yeah, it was. I know it sounds dumb, but we still have to confirm that kind of cuz who boarded it up themselves? Was it you or was it Me and him did, yes. Okay. So, literally just came out. >> he's already passed away. Yes, he's He passed away the Friday before Christmas. And ever since then, they've they've been trying to come in. So, who technically owns the house now? Is it supposed to be sister? Yeah, right now I'm not too sure. It's in probate. Okay. Okay, so it's in that weird zone. Mhm. Um And do you know how long ago they dated? Was it like years ago? Was it Did they date her until she died he died or they complicated? It was up until about April or May of last year. Okay, so they've been broken up for about a good old year. When did he pass away? I'm sorry. November. Well, December middle December. Okay. Who has been passed away for a good close to a year now? They've been kind of separated for a good couple years then? They've been separated since about April. She used to come around, literally sit in his driveway using his Wi-Fi, and he's been he's told her multiple multiple times not to come back. She's saying that that she has paperwork to get in the house, but if she has paperwork to get in the house, why are you going through windows? And so, who's the one who heard the chimes? He did cuz his window is right there. >> to you first, ma'am? Yeah. Thank you. The the guy that took off, was he he ran on foot also or did he took off in the vehicle? >> was one on foot that came out of the house with her and then there was one that was parked in the Dodge parked in the driveway like >> So, two other people? So, there was yeah, there was two other people, too. >> So, so when when did the guy in the truck take off? Um when I got on the phone with you guys while you don't need a you don't need to call you don't need to call. He he honked twice and left. He didn't even turn his lights on, nothing. So, I couldn't even see his light his plate. Yeah. Okay. Um we're just trying to see who because Philip died, right? So, >> Correct. I have a sister I have a sister Rachel on the phone. Right. So, we're trying to see if So, if Phil Philip was the owner of this property, right? We need to see who is now the owner of the property. So, It's there's the gentleman who is in charge of the property. It's happening through Probate and there is a gentleman that my dad actually just texted to let know that there was people at the house. Okay. But, do we know who owns the house right now? We we would need like physical some sort of physical proof of that right now. >> [snorts] >> Other than that, what we have what we have is uh So, if we if we went along that lines, like say for instance, if your the brother was still alive, then we would have a potential burglary, if not at least at the bare minimum a breaking and entry. But, because the unfortunate circumstances, we don't have a technical victim at this time. However, there is posted no trespassing signs around the house. So, what we do have is a trespassing. So, I can still charge her based off of that. Well, I mean the house everything went to my brother's son. My brother had a living son. Yes, but we we would need like actual proof, physical proof, and documentation of that. Well, so technically the house is in probate. So, you need to talk to the gentleman who is in charge of the probate cuz he's the one who technically has charge of the house right now. >> Is that the Cardinal Trust that shows up on the New Mexico courts? Um I'm not sure. My dad has the guy's number. So, it's it's a trust company in the daughter of Albuquerque. I see. Yeah, cuz on his on his court the documents for Yeah, cuz for the probate. Yeah, it's going through probate and there's an actual probate company that's handling it or there's like my dad hired people that are handling it. All right, I I I understand what you're saying. That that's not the issue we're having. What what the issue that we're having right now is that we need we need physical documents in order to prove that in order to charge a an a felony felony crime. The house is going through probate or you need to see cuz my dad's still making the house payment. You need to see the house payment. What do you need to see? >> No, what we need to see who who's the owner of the house right now. Right now as it as it stands right now. Do we need that? Well, I'll call his attorney. Yeah, well, we're going to need to call him anyway. Okay, that's fine. All right. You know what? He was >> Obviously you coming out here in the front of him we usually say no to, but I get it. It's these people who have been doing it a lot and you want to catch them. Yeah, and I can Just be careful because you know, we don't want anything to happen to you, but I get it. Yeah, no, and I'm not I'm not I'm going to I'm going to pull it out, but I have my >> [laughter] >> Hey, Rosie. Hello? Hey, Rosie, can you hear me? Who's this? This is Officer Martinez. I'm with the Las Cruces Police Department. I'm sorry, can you repeat that? I'm Officer Martinez. I'm with the Las Cruces Police Department. Officer Martinez? Yes. Okay. Uh I need to just verify with you that uh, you're okay with taking care of uh, Mariah. uh, Claudia's Yeah. Yeah, that's okay. What's going on? Uh, yeah, so she's going to be arrested right now. Um, she's going to be taken a ride to jail. So, uh, she's not going to be able to go back to the party. What's going on? She's being arrested. For why? Uh, that that you can talk to her whenever she calls you from the jail. Uh, the only thing is is I need your information because you're going to be the one that's going to be taking custody of Mariah. So, I just need your your information. You will be able to do that for me? What information do you need? Uh, just like your driver's license. Can you just sign it? I know you said he's homeless, but does he have any spots he likes to stay at? Like his sister's house or what? I'm sorry. Does he stay at his sister's house often or what? I don't know. He just stays anywhere. Let me help you. He usually has like He usually has go-to spots, right? He stays everywhere. He's He's just He doesn't have a stable place to stay. He goes with his girlfriend. He just stays anywhere. His girlfriend? Him and his girlfriend. Where does she live at? What? Where does she live? I don't know. They don't have a place where they live. They're just staying anywhere on the street. Does he hang around Imperial a lot? He hangs around 11th and Mesquite Street or probably over there by the trailer park on Bosque Donuts. Just anywhere. Bosque Donuts? Mhm. The trailer Can I put my address back on? I'm sorry. Mhm. Thank you. You're welcome. Yeah, I'll just take Yeah, just take the um, the one that's over there by um, yeah, by Bosque Donuts, the trailer park. Uh, I don't know what trailer park that is. The little trailer park on Chili? No, not that one. It's It's over there by where like, I don't know. He just like It's right across the street from Bosque Donuts. Oh, Bosque Donuts. I thought you said Bosque Donuts. Oh, no, no, no. Bosque Donuts. >> I know what you're talking about now. Yeah, over there on side. >> That little RV park? Yeah, they're not They're not the BAs. It just depends. The BAs? Yeah, the zoning is not the same. Oh, is he under? Huh? Is he under? Uh honestly, I don't know. He's just there with her. Cuz I live there at the BAs. Oh, you live at 19 Marshall? I'm sorry. Oh, I live in the very back at 111. So, sometimes he'll go in human and he's welcome to go shower, but they just don't stay there cuz I have a key. He used to have access to your house, though? Oh, no. No. Yeah, no. He's not allowed in. >> you guys been living together? Yeah, no. My mother and I Nobody's allowed to be there when I'm not there. That's not typical. And you don't know the name of the other guy that was with her? Honestly, I don't know who that guy is. Okay. I've never seen him before. Can you send me his 49 booking number? The way he got out. And then, if you guys pull up the photo of how it originally looked prior to So, that right there was leaning against the wall. And yeah, bricks and they would try to get in through there. And from the way the photo showed, too, it would look secure enough to show like, okay, this is to prevent people from getting inside. The only problem is is that that window is already broken. So, it stays a It stays open. Yeah, it's broken from an incident back in January January of this year. And that's why they secured it like that. Was anything screwed in? No. No. So, then breaking and dismantling is not Yeah. I would say so. Yeah. Because, I mean, if you if they remove a window screen, that's that's a B&E. That's a part of the structure of the house. This is not. The The only other option is would be the the burglary. We go that route. She admitted to having the intent of removing things from the house, but the problem is is that she said that they were her own. Have you guys been in the house? Is it like full of [ __ ] and stuff or No, I have not. But, they said it is because they kind of like stack things in front of windows and doors to Prevent people from coming in? >> Yeah. And I'm I was telling him like why a year later are you coming for child support papers? >> I mean, I think that's that's considered a We could say abandoned property. >> Yeah. And she came in to steal stuff. Let me just call and see what they say. Oh, yeah. So, this is when the window was the day it was broken. And so, we took the wind chime from the back door and this is from the outside on the back gate over there where you can see where we zip tied it and you can see the board coming between the wall and the the post and we we were holding it up. You didn't screw anything into the walls or the windows or anything? >> I wasn't I don't have a drill or anything to be able to do it, so we weren't able to do that. >> the weights to so it didn't fall. Yeah. >> Yeah, we had the brick holding it the other brick and then we put the wind chime so cuz even with the storms and stuff it doesn't move. So, when he heard the wind chimes I was like, "Oh [ __ ] somebody's there." So. Cool. Okay, thank you, man. As the body cam footage comes to an end, no dramatic arrest unfolds, but the underlying questions remain. With conflicting statements, unclear property ownership, and no immediate complainant willing to pursue charges, officers are left to de-escalate and document rather than take decisive enforcement action. The incident highlights how quickly personal disputes can turn into police matters, especially when legal boundaries are misunderstood or ignored. While the call may be over, the broader lesson is clear. When it comes to entering a property, assumptions [music] can carry real legal consequences.