Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
CLOVIS — Nearly five months after a brutal robbery attempt, a victim’s family is still hoping for closure in the case.
Last September, Savanah Sena was with her girlfriend in the house adjoining her recently opened Dirty Curry Creations smoke shop on Pile Street. Three men pounded at her door, claiming to be law enforcement. They soon broke down a door and demanded to know where the business’ money was while delivering a beating that required staples in her skull and stitches in numerous places on her body.
She’s only partially recovered, father Max Sena said Friday.
“She’s still bleeding out of her ear on the side where they hit her,” the elder Sena said. “Her eyesight’s getting worse. She’s had a lot of nightmares.”
The business never opened again. Max Sena said his daughter tried to go back a few days later, but soon called her family and asked them to come get her. The family has since sold individual items as they can.
One person has been arrested in connection to the robbery. Angelo Lopez, 19, has a jury trial in April for seven felony charges, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery and impersonating a peace officer.
Max Sena said closure won’t be possible for his daughter or the family until all three are “accounted for and locked up.” He said his daughter still suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and has lost plenty of will since the incident. He said she is staying with friends, and did not want to get more specific out of concerns for her safety.
Lt. Trevor Thron of the Clovis Police Department said Lopez has denied any involvement in the incident and refused to cooperate, and that fingerprint analysis is ongoing for a pair of eyeglasses and an ammunition clip Savanah Sena knocked loose in the struggle.
“Several names have been thrown around in reference to possible suspects; however, we do not have enough to make additional arrests at this time until results from the lab are obtained,” Thron said in an email to The News. “I understand Mr. Sena wants us to solve this case, but sometimes these things take time and it can be frustrating for everyone involved. We are doing our best and hopefully we get results soon.”
When asked how the public can help, Max Sena said somebody knows who the assailants are, and as long as they’re free they’ll create more victims.
“Just speak up, call Crimestoppers,” he said. “Don’t cover for them.”