Suspect identified in random attacks in Downtown Albuquerque

Matthew Reisen, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read
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Apr. 23—Police have identified a suspect in a series of random attacks earlier this month in Downtown Albuquerque.

Brian Eisenbeis, 43, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, misdemeanor battery and tampering with evidence.

Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers released a photo of Eisenbeis on Tuesday and offered a possible $1,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

The release, which shows a photo of Eisenbeis with a full head of hair, said he is now believed to be bald.

"Detectives are currently working to locate him," according to the release.

Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said officers detained Eisenbeis on April 16, "but there was not enough for an arrest warrant." He said they searched Eisenbeis' truck to develop enough probable cause to charge him.

Police said the April 10 attacks happened within an hour of each other.

The first incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Central near 14th when two men were beaten by a suspect in a red truck who yelled homosexual slurs. One of the men was hospitalized with a broken jaw and femur.

Then, around 2:20 p.m., a man fitting the same suspect's description in a red truck punched a woman who was going for a run on Silver SW, between 11th and 12th. The woman told police the man was cussing at her and got back into his truck and drove away after the attack.

Police began looking for the suspect's truck, a red Ford Ranger with an Arizona license plate EPA88K, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Caught on surveillance video, the truck was missing a tailgate handle, the pickup bed was painted white with red splotches and had a black mat.

Crime Stoppers released photos of the truck, and on April 16 a tip came in that identified Eisenbeis as the suspect. Hours later, he was pulled over for not having a license plate.

Police said Eisenbeis refused to speak with police and would not let officers take pictures of "some possible cuts to his right hand." Eisenbeis was released, but his truck, which now had a camper shell, was seized by police for a search warrant.

The victims, who described the suspect as "a redneck" and unkempt, were not able to positively identify Eisenbeis out of a photo array. But one said he "resembled" the suspect, according to the complaint. When police searched Eisenbeis' truck, officers found the Arizona license plate under the seat, and the vehicle had white paint with red splotches and a mat in the pickup bed, like the suspect vehicle.

Anyone with information on Eisenbeis' whereabouts is asked to call 505-843-STOP (7867) or go to p3tips.com/531. The Crime Stoppers release said anyone with information could be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.