Man trying to stop thief stealing his bike in New Mexico shot dead

Police in New Mexico are hunting for a thief who shot the owner of a bicycle dead when the pair struggled as he tried to steal it.

The incident happened in Albuquerque on Wednesday morning, reports KRQE News 13, outside the Central Grill and Coffee house.

Waitress Laura Pomroy told the TV station: "We had a few people in the restaurant and we heard a 'pop!' A really loud 'pop!'"

The restaurant is located next to an Albuquerque Police Department station.

"We had several detectives that were inside having breakfast and they rushed out," the waitress said.

"One of the detectives drew his gun and went eastbound and the other detective went to the victim, the gentleman that was on the ground."

She said that someone waiting at a bus stop who witnessed the incident told her what had happened.

"From what we understand, he was waiting for the bus and he had his bike there, and somebody approached and came and grabbed the bike and tried to steal it.

"And he grabbed onto his bike and tried to hold onto his bike, and the guy pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest."

The victim has been named as Isaac Candelaria, aged 43, and Ponroy said: "The detective was holding his hand and talking to him and trying to encourage him to stay with us," she added.

"Just a regular guy going about his day. It could have been anybody sitting there, waiting for the bus."

Deputy Police Chief Harold Medina said: "There is no known relationship between the victim and the offender at this time.

Police have since released CCTV images of the suspect.