Reminder for the Citizen Prosecutor Academy

CASEALGoldBlueReduced2Tami Suchowiejko of the Coconino County Attorney’s office reminds Coconino County residents of the Citizen Prosecutor Academy scheduled for Friday May 2nd. The one-day course runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and is conducted by various law enforcement agencies in the county.

Visit the website at www.coconino.az.gov/CountyAttorney to download an application form. Completed forms can be faxed to (928) 679-8201, or mailed to Coconino County Attorney’s Office, 110 E. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or contact Tami Suchowiejko at (928) 679-8229 or Email.

Overnight work on I-17 south of Camp Verde scheduled tonight

CAMP VERDE – The Arizona Department of Transportation will move concrete barrier on southbound Interstate 17 tonight, April 17 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. south of Camp Verde as part of the climbing lane project. 

 

Southbound drivers can expect a single lane restriction and northbound traffic will be guided through the project work zone with flaggers and a pilot car. 

 

Starting Monday, April 21 crews will begin the milling and paving work on I-17 through the project.  For the next two weeks, overnight work will require a single lane restriction in both directions and drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel times to reach their destination.     

 

Work hours are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and drivers can expect minimal delays. 

 

During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed.   

 

This project is expected to be complete by the summer 2014. 

 

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. 

 

For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project information line at 1.855.712.8530. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511.

Detention Officer Arrested for Unlawful Sexual Conduct in a Correctional Facility

FLAGSTAFF – On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 a staff member of the Coconino County Detention Facility spoke with an adult female inmate who told him that a detention officer was engaging in inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature with her. This information was given to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation division and an internal affairs investigation was initiated. Sheriff’s Office staff contacted the Flagstaff Police Department and requested they conduct the criminal investigation of the offense.

As a result of the investigation by Flagstaff Police Detectives, 50 year-old Pete C. Gomez of Flagstaff, a Detention Officer II with the agency, was arrested for the offense of one count of Arizona Revised Statute 13-1419A (Unlawful Sexual Conduct in a Correctional Facility).

Gomez’s has been employed at the detention facility for five years. Gomez is on administrative leave as the internal investigation is continued by Sheriff’s Office Detectives. Flagstaff Police Detectives are continuing the criminal investigation.

Citizen Prosecutor Academy scheduled for May 2d.

CASEALGoldBlueReduced2FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Attorney office will conduct another Citizen Prosecutor Academy on Friday May 2d from 8:30 to 5 pm.

The day-long academy is taught by various experts from the Coconino County Attorney’s Office as well as other professionals from the criminal justice system. Attendees will learn how criminal cases are handled from intake/grand jury through trial to appeal. They can also expect a lecture presented by the Medical Examiner and a presentation about the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab. Participants will gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of real-world prosecution and law enforcement. You can see a sample of lectures from their previous agenda.

“We are excited to continue our academy which brings the community into the office to share information, exchange ideas, and facilitate a better understanding of how the County Attorney’s Office serves the public. It’s also a lot of fun,” County Attorney Rozema stated in the press release.

The class sizes are limited so interested parties should apply as soon as possible. You can download an application by clicking here.

Bridge work starting on I-40 in Winslow

Drivers should expect narrowed lanes and reduced speed limits on I-40 through Winslow

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation begins a project on Monday, March 31 to reconstruct Interstate 40 bridges at Ruby Wash, Maple Street and Transcon Lane in Winslow.

The east- and westbound bridges at each location, six total, will be improved during the $3.8 million dollar project. Work includes replacing the bridge decks, new asphalt and some guardrail and drainage improvements.

All six bridges will be under construction simultaneously and I-40 will be narrowed to one lane between mileposts 254 and 257 through fall 2014, when the project is anticipated to be completed. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

In addition to the interstate restrictions, there are local restrictions as well. Maple Street, which runs underneath I-40, will be closed for six months. Detour signs will be posted for alternate routes during its closure. Also, Transcon Lane, which also runs under I-40, will have intermittent lane closures, but will remain open to traffic. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Community Meeting on Awareness & Prevention of Serious Injury and Fatality Collisions on Camp Townsend/Winona Road

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is facilitating a meeting to discuss motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries and fatalities that have occurred on Camp Townsend/Winona Road. The meeting will be held at the Summit Fire District Station Number 31 located at 6425 N. Cosnino Road in Flagstaff on Thursday, March 27, 2014 beginning at 6:00 pm.

During the years of 2008 to February 4, 2014 Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives have investigated 49 motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries and five collisions that have resulted in fatalities on Camp Townsend/Winona Road. Investigations have revealed that a large number of the collisions are the result of driver error with the most predominant violations of “Speed in Excess Of the Posted Limit” and “Failure to Control Motor Vehicle.”

Representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Public Works Engineering Department will present information to the community and discuss possible solution to include increased enforcement of traffic violations on Camp/Townsend Winona Road with emphasis on violations that may result in serious injury and fatality collisions. Representatives of the Public Works Department will discuss the possibility of additional signage.

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information and suggestions from the public that create a collaborative effort to reduce collisions in the area. We cordially invite you to join the Sheriff’s Office in a partnership of trust and shared responsibility with the ultimate objective of increasing motoring-safety on Camp Townsend Winona Road and throughout our community.

Two neighborhood watch programs scheduled for Flagstaff.

neighborhoodwatchFLAGSTAFF – Two neighborhood watch meetings are scheduled for the first week of March in the Flagstaff area. The first is at Timberline/Fernwood on March 4. The second will be in Doney Park on March 6.

The Timberline/Fernwood meeting will be from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Summit Fire Station #33 located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of North Highway 89. Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll of the Coconino County Sheriff’s office and County Supervisor Liz Archuleta will be in attendance. Members of the Sheriff’s Office staff will be at the meeting to share information and encourage continued neighborhood participation.

At the request of participants who attended the February meeting a Master Gardener from Coconino County will speak to the group about seasonal gardening and plant species that thrive in Coconino County. The speaker will also identify types of noxious weeds and plants found in Coconino County.

Deputy Driscoll and County Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be at the Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ.

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll will be at the meeting to encourage continued neighborhood participation and to share information. Doney Park Community Deputies will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

At the request of participants during the February meeting, Ruthanne Penn who is the Assistant to the Coconino County Emergency Manager will give a presentation on Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Emergencies. Ms. Penn will give instructions on how to build a “Go Bag” which contains items required for an evacuation out of the residence lasting up to 72 hours. Participants will also be given instructions how to build a “Home Emergency Kit” that will sustain a family for up to 72 hours in the event they are required to “Shelter in Place.”

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Timberline/Fernwood Neighborhood Watch Meeting

neighborhoodwatchFlagstaff––Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta would like to invite residents of the Timberline and Fernwood communities to the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Summit Fire Station 33, located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of North Highway 89. Members of the Sheriff’s Office staff will be at the meeting to share information and encourage continued neighborhood participation.

Paul Currivan who is a Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Volunteer and participant of the Timberline Neighborhood Watch program will give a presentation on Driving Safety Tips during Inclement Weather. Community Deputy Robert Smith will give a presentation on Preparedness for and Survival of Severe Winter Weather.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting

neighborhoodwatchFlagstaff—Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll will be at the meeting to encourage continued neighborhood participation and to share information. Doney Park Community Deputies will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be present to share information from Coconino County Government.

Supervisor Metzger will speak about forest access in the Doney Park area and will have a representative of the United States Forest Service on hand to answer questions. Michelle Hart who is an Adult Probation Officer III will speak about her assigned duties and will present an overview of the Coconino County Adult Probation Department.

Two Men Arrested for Attempted Homicide

suspectsFlagstaff—On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at about 9:00 pm Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies arrested eighteen-year old Garrett McCabe of the Greater Flagstaff area and subsequently arrested nineteen year-old Christian Cordova also of Flagstaff both for Attempted Homicide in the first degree.

On January 28, 2014 at about 6:19 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was advised that a victim arrived at an urgent care facility in Winslow, AZ suffering from multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and back which he had received during an attack that occurred in the earlier that day.

The nineteen-year-old male victim of Flagstaff arrived at a Winslow, AZ emergency room on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 with multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and upper torso. Deputies were able to contact the victim’s mother. The victim told his mother that an acquaintance he identified as Garrett McCabe and another unknown male later identified as Christian Cordova arranged to meet him near his house, drove him to a forested area off of Eden Springs Road where McCabe stabbed him multiple times with a knife. He was then driven to McCabe’s residence, where the suspects attempted to bandage his wounds. According to the victim he was eventually dropped off near his home and walked the remaining distance to his house. A family member drove the victim to a medical center located in Winslow. The victim told his mother that during the attack, he believed Christian Cordova chased him with a hatchet.

Deputies responded to Garrett McCabe’s residence and observed a small trail of blood droplets on the concrete driveway and on the handrail leading to the front door. Despite multiple attempts to summons an occupant to the front door, no one answered. Shortly after the Deputies arrival at the residence, a man arrived and identified himself as the owner of the home and as a relative of Garrett McCabe. He allowed Deputies to enter his residence and directed them to a bedroom where they found the suspect asleep. While inside the home, Deputies observed what they believed to be fresh droplets of blood on the floor. Garrett McCabe was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During his interview with Detectives, McCabe made statements implicating himself in the offense of Attempted Homicide.

Late Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Detectives located and interviewed Christian Cordova at his place of employment in Flagstaff. During his conversation with detectives, Cordova made statements implicating himself in the crime of Attempted Homicide. Both Garrett McCabe and Christian Cordova are currently being held at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility.