Six teens 'murdered New Mexico father on his driveway as they roamed the neighborhood breaking into cars and burglarizing homes'

  • Albuquerque officers found bartender Steve Gerecke dead in his driveway
  • Six suspects ranging in age from 14 to 17 arrested on Thursday
  • Ryan Archibeque, 17, Christopher Rodriguez, 16, Jeremiah King, 16, and Andrew Hubler, 15, appeared in court as serious youthful offenders
  • Charges are murder, aggravated burglary and assault with deadly weapon 
  • Enrique Palomino and Matthew Baldonado, both 14, charged as juveniles

By Associated Press and Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 14:44 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 00:15 EST, 12 July 2015

Six New Mexico teens face murder charges after authorities say one of them gunned down a 60-year-old man in his driveway while the group was breaking into cars and homes in a neighborhood.

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said during a Friday news conference that one of the boys - who range from 14 to 17 years old - confessed on Thursday but the investigation is ongoing.

Arrest warrant affidavits say they had been prowling through a neighborhood, burglarizing cars and homes and stealing vehicles on June 26 before one of them shot and killed Steve Gerecke.

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Victim: New Mexico police found Steve Gerecke, 60, dead in his driveway with gunshot wounds on June 26

Victim: New Mexico police found Steve Gerecke, 60, dead in his driveway with gunshot wounds on June 26

Gerecke's family members hold hands during a news conference at police headquarters on Friday afternoon

Gerecke's family members hold hands during a news conference at police headquarters on Friday afternoon

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said six teens have been charged over the death of Mr Gerecke

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said six teens have been charged over the death of Mr Gerecke

Officers found Gerecke dead in his driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. 

'There are gaps that have to be filled, and there are still a lot of questions that have to be answered,' the chief said, as the grieving family of Gerecke stood at his side.

Suspects Ryan Archibeque, 17, Christopher Rodriguez, 16, Jeremiah King, 16, and Andrew Hubler, 15, appeared in court on Friday afternoon on charges that include murder, aggravated burglary and assault with a deadly weapon, according to KOAT.  

Prosecutors said those four were charged as serious youthful offenders, meaning their cases will proceed as if they were adults - something Gerecke's family called for during the news conference. 

Police think King was the shooter. 

The two 14-year-olds, Enrique Palomino and Matthew Baldonado, are being charged as juveniles. 

Steve Gerecke is survived by many family members, including his daughter
A memorial was planned for Steve Gerecke on Saturday at Balloon Fiesta Park

Gerecke (with his daughter and at work) tended bar in Albuquerque for more than 20 years

Investigators say it appears Gerecke confronted the group after they had broken into his home (pictured) 

Investigators say it appears Gerecke confronted the group after they had broken into his home (pictured) 

Heather Alter, Gerecke's daughter, said her father did not deserve to be executed.

'I want to address the parents of these animals,' she added. 'Where were you? Why did you let your children run the streets at 3am?

'I hold you, the parents, responsible. Just know a tsunami is coming.' 

Grieving: Steve Gerecke's widow Venita said her husband treated her like a queen and spoiled her rotten

Grieving: Steve Gerecke's widow Venita said her husband treated her like a queen and spoiled her rotten

Heather Alter, Gerecke's daughter, said her father did not deserve to be executed

Heather Alter, Gerecke's daughter, said her father did not deserve to be executed

Investigators say it appears Gerecke confronted the group, who had apparently used a garage door opener found in Gerecke's wife's car to get into his home.

One of the younger teens told investigators that his 16-year-old friend, presumably King, was the only one in the group armed with a gun that night, and that King had fired shots at another man who caught them earlier in his home trying to steal his television.

That man was not injured but the burglars made off with his cellphone, credit cards and keys.

The armed teen also bragged and joked about shooting Gerecke as the group went on to break into more homes, according to the warrants.

Eden said detectives had already started to work on previous reports of mob burglaries in the northeast heights when Gerecke was shot. 

That information helped a task force of investigators get a jump on the case.

Police tracked a credit card stolen during the June 26 crime rampage and used surveillance video from a Wal-Mart and other locations to find the suspects. 

A security guard at Highland High School was able to identify two of the teens seen in the video footage.

The police chief said such mob crimes are new to the city, and he urged residents to take precautions such as removing their garage door openers from their cars at night and making sure their vehicles and homes are locked.

Investigators are still working to determine whether the teens arrested Thursday were involved in any of the previous mob crimes.

A memorial was planned for Gerecke on Saturday at Balloon Fiesta Park. 

The husband, father and grandfather was a fixture at one of the city's popular sports bars, where he had tended bar for more than 20 years.

Gerecke is survived by his wife, Venita Gerecke, his daughter, son-in-law, brother, sister-in-law, four nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.

His wife said: 'I can honestly say that for 25 years, I have been treated like a queen, spoiled rotten and, at times, as is with human nature, took it for granted. 

'Our last encounter was a kiss, an "I love you" and my wishing him a fun night.'

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