Alleged burglar shot by homeowner ID’d

A 28-year-old Hernandez man is dead after being shot early Saturday morning by a homeowner who caught him in his garage.

A call was received at the E-911 Dispatch Center around 4:20 a.m., from a woman who told the dispatcher that her husband shot someone they caught in the garage. She said her husband shot the man, later identified as Pablo Hinz, because he attacked the couple and pushed the caller over. The names of the homeowners were not released.

According to a press release from the Española Police Department that was circulated later in the morning on Saturday, EPD officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Middle San Pedro Road regarding a burglary in progress.

“Upon arrival, officers learned, an elderly home owner confronted a burglary suspect within their residence,” the press release said. “During the incident there was a struggle resulting in the home owner shooting the burglary suspect at least one time.”

The press release said Hinz, whose name had not been released until Monday afternoon, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was being withheld pending next of kin notification, which was done Monday, EPD Chief Mizel Garcia said.

“He was well known to law enforcement in the area for commission of burglaries,” Garcia said about Hinz.

In fact, Hinz has been charged with several crimes since February 2020, according to court records, though his criminal history dates further back. The incident on Saturday wasn’t the first time he’s been accused of breaking into a home.

On Nov. 24, 2019, Hinz allegedly broke into the Española Nursing Home and faced charges of breaking and entering, criminal trespass and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

A case against him was filed on Feb. 6, 2020 in First Judicial District Court. He took a repeat offender plea in that case, in which he pleaded guilty to receiving or transferring stolen vehicles, stemming from an Aug. 15, 2020 case; and concealing identity, stemming from a Sept. 22, 2020 case, as well as criminal trespass, stemming from the Nov. 24, 2019 case.

He also agreed to admit to burglarizing a residence on July 1, 2016 and stealing a credit card on Oct. 30, 2016. Court records show that Hinz was charged with breaking and entering, criminal trespass and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. However, the breaking and entering and resisting/evading charges were dismissed by the prosecutor as part of Hinz’s plea agreement.

He was sentenced for the criminal trespass charge, to 364 days in jail, of which all were suspended. Instead of jail time, he was ordered to serve 364 days on supervised probation and was to pay fees of $55.

A warrant was issued for Hinz’s arrest on Jan. 27, 2020 because he left Darren’s Place, in violation of his conditions of release. The warrant ordered that he be held without bond.

Hinz was charged with receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles, first offense on Aug. 17, 2020 as well as false evidence of title or registration. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Sept. 23, 2020 and the case was bound over to district court.

On Sept. 22, 2020, Hinz was charged with one count each of breaking and entering, concealing identity and criminal trespass.

On Nov. 18, 2020, he was charged with one count each of larceny and residential burglary, stemming from an incident on Sept. 5, 2020.

On Feb. 26, 2021, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to yield, no driver’s license, evidence of registration and no proof of insurance.

On July 29, 2022, he was charged with burglary of a vehicle.

On Feb. 22, 2023, he was charged with non-residential burglary, larceny over $500 but not more than $2,500 and burglary of a vehicle.

On Aug. 28, 2023, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, battery on a peace officer and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

Garcia said the investigation is ongoing. The homeowner was not injured during the altercation, he said.