ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Recently filed court documents reveal more details about an Edgewood man who is now facing trial in federal court for allegedly stealing a car and murdering a man in Santa Fe.
Babitz is charged in federal court with auto theft and discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. He is accused of shooting 83-year-old Gordon Wilson during an alleged carjacking on August 6. Babitz has already been charged with murder in Santa Fe County in that case.
Santa Fe County is not the only county where he faces charges. In Bernalillo County, he is charged with armed robbery and tampering with evidence. He is accused of robbing a bank in Albuquerque the week before the Santa Fe murder.
He is charged in Doña Ana County with two counts of armed robbery and conspiracy, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and two other counts, including fleeing from a police officer. He is accused of robbing an Arby’s restaurant in Las Cruces and then stealing someone’s car on Saturday.
An officer responded and tracked Babitz down to a dumpster near where he crashed the suspected stolen vehicle.
While searching the vehicle and dumpster, officers said they found various items, including a 9mm pistol stolen from the Rio Rancho Police Department, ammunition, the money stolen from Arby’s and a black airsoft pistol he was seen with there.
After the accident, officers took Babitz to the hospital for examination. Investigators say he managed to free himself from the handcuffs. However, police pursued him and arrested him again.
Babitz appeared in court Tuesday to face the charges in Santa Fe County. He is currently in federal custody. His first appearance in federal court is scheduled for Friday.
