The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up
The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up
The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up

NMSU to heighten security after attempted kidnapping

Byline photo of Elizabeth Anne Andrews
Elizabeth Anne Andrews, Editor-in-Chief • March 18, 2026
Graphic courtesy of The Round Up.

An attempted kidnapping occurred Tuesday, March 17 at 11:15 p.m. near the intersection of Arrowhead Drive and Sam Steel Way.  

In a statement from the Campus Safety Alert email system at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, university police said the victim was on a run when the suspect pulled over and tried to restrain her. She was able to escape, and the suspect drove away. Police began investigating early Wednesday morning, according to an alert released at 12:57 a.m. 

The suspect is described as a 6-foot tall white or Hispanic male with long, dark, wavy hair and facial hair. The suspect was also seen driving a grey sedan.  

In response to the incident, NMSU Police say they’re increasing patrols by sworn officers and public safety aides. They encourage the NMSU community to take extra steps to stay safe and be aware of their surroundings. 

For students seeking safety options, NMSU Police offer after-hours escorts to students upon request. Pete’s Pick Up is another option for students in need of an escort, available Sunday through Thursday. 

Anyone with information about the March 17 attempted kidnapping can contact NMSU police at 575-646-3311. 

Update: On March 19, NMSU police arrested suspect, Gary Raymond Starr III, and charged him with false imprisonment and battery.

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About the Contributor
Elizabeth Anne Andrews
Elizabeth Anne Andrews, Editor-in-Chief
Elizabeth Anne Andrews is in her third year at The Round Up, and her first as Editor-in-Chief. She is a junior majoring in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Creative Writing. She has written over 30 articles for The Round Up, three of which have won Best of SNO awards, and one that was also published in the Las Cruces Sun-News. She attended the NMPA College Journalism Workshop in 2024, and the CMA ProCon25 with the rest of the editorial and multimedia staff.  Elizabeth Anne always knew she had a passion for writing but wasn’t always sure where that would lead her. When she attended a virtual tour of NMSU in high school, she was drawn to the journalism program. Since beginning her career as a journalist at NMSU, she has grown to love it for the opportunities it gives her to meet people and learn new things. She is excited to continue working at The Round Up and leading this year’s staff. She hopes to help The Round Up bring accountability to campus, local and national leaders, and shine light on organizations supporting the diverse student population of NMSU. After graduating, Elizabeth Anne hopes to work at a local paper. Maybe one day she’ll work for a national paper, but for now she’s happy to focus on issues specifically affecting the borderland community she fell in love with when her military family moved here a few years ago. In her free time, Elizabeth Anne enjoys reading, listening to vinyl records, and spending time with her family.