Man accused of killing elderly victim at N.M. Best Buy caught after allegedly robbing an Arby’s

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (TCN) -- Police recently apprehended a 38-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting after he allegedly robbed an Arby’s at gunpoint and stole a vehicle.

According to the Santa Fe Police Department, on Aug. 6, officers responded to the Best Buy on Zafarano Drive, where they learned 83-year-old Gordon Wilson had been shot in the parking lot and died from his injuries. Following the victim’s death, the suspect, identified by Santa Fe Police as Zachary Babitz of Glendale, California, allegedly stole Wilson’s vehicle and fled.

On Aug. 9, Albuquerque Police said Babitz was also wanted in connection with a robbery at a Wells Fargo bank that occurred on July 31. Babitz was on probation at the time for an armed robbery conviction and was required to wear a GPS ankle monitor. Babitz was reportedly wearing the monitor during the robbery but not at the time of the fatal shooting in Santa Fe.

Babitz faces charges of armed robbery and tampering with evidence for the alleged bank robbery.

The search for Babitz ended when Las Cruces Police learned of an armed robbery at an Arby’s on East Lohman Avenue on Aug. 10. Babitz and an unidentified female accomplice allegedly entered the restaurant and threatened an employee with a firearm and demanded money. After exiting the Arby’s, Las Cruces police allege Babitz "forced a woman out of her vehicle at gunpoint" and stole her car. The vehicle reportedly crashed shortly after before Babitz and his accomplice fled.

Las Cruces Police located Babitz nearby and took him into custody. His accomplice has not yet been named or found.

The victim whose vehicle was stolen was unharmed.

According to Santa Fe Police, Babitz was recently released from prison in March and has an extensive criminal history, including possession of a controlled substance, robbery, possession of a deadly weapon or explosive by a prisoner, receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle, and out-of-state fugitive criminal charges.

Santa Fe Police found Wilson’s vehicle in Albuquerque, where they also served a search warrant at a home.

Officials booked Babitz into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he remains held on a warrant from Santa Fe on charges of murder, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and parole violation.

MORE: