Category Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

Subject Mortally Wounded After Standoff with Law Enforcement

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FLAGSTAFF — On Saturday, May 21 at approximately 12:07 am, an armed subject who had been in a standoff with law enforcement officers was shot and killed at a residence off of Lumberjack Boulevard in the Mountain View Ranchos/Doney Park area east of Flagstaff. The subject has been identified as 31-year-old Mark Nelson. The shooting is currently under investigation by a Northern Arizona multi-agency officer involved shooting team.

The emergency call came in on Friday, May 20 at 9:51 pm when 911 Dispatch received a call from Crisis Hotline about an armed suicidal man. The caller into the Hot Line was the subject’s mother. She reported that her son was behind the house near the garage area.

As deputies were dispatched to the scene, reports came in that shots had been fired from the area where the subject was believed to be. As the incident developed, four Coconino County Sheriff Deputies were assisted by four Flagstaff Police Officers, and two Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers in establishing a perimeter to ensure safety of the neighborhood. Guardian Medical and Summit Fire also had been staged nearby.

Upon arrival, the officers made visual and verbal contact with Mr. Nelson and tried to convince him to surrender his weapon as well as offer him help. Around 11:28 pm, the subject drove his truck from the backyard/garage area to the front of the house. He exited his truck with a high powered rifle.

After several more minutes of trying to dialogue with Mr. Nelson offering to get him assistance and telling him to put down his weapon, Mr. Nelson put the gun into his mouth. He then took it out of his mouth and leveled it at officers. At that time shots were fired by deputies at Mr. Nelson. Medical personnel rendered first aid. Mark Nelson was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

This officer involved shooting is currently under investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation moves forward.

Coconino Sheriff seeks missing teen

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shaylee-phillips-1NAME: Shaylee Sue Faith PHillips
RACE: Black
GENDER: Female
AGE: 15
HEIGHT: 5’ 4”
WEIGHT: 140 pounds
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black, curly hair
TATOOS: face with owl on right forearm

Shaylee Phillips was last seen at her residence in Doney Park on May 10, 2016 and is believed to have left her residence that night. She may be in the Flagstaff or Phoenix areas.

If anyone has seen or has information about Shaylee Phillips please contact Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness 928-774-6111

Missing Person Debra Schwartz – Found Deceased

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FLAGSTAFF — Today at approximately 11:10 am the body of missing hiker Debra Schwartz was located in an unnamed slot canyon below the rim of Oak Creek Canyon. A three member technical rescue team that was tasked with checking the slot canyons located her.

On this third day of this intensive search for the missing ASU Professor, rescuers were in the field and under way by daylight. Today the search resources consisted of:

· One Team of five searchers mounted on horseback
· Three teams of off-road vehicles
· Six teams of ground searchers with five people in each team
· One dog team consisting of 3 dogs and six handlers
· Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Air Rescue Helicopter and crew
· Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter and crew based in Flagstaff
· The Yavapai County Jeep Posse
· Three technical rescue teams with three technicians in each team

Several slot canyons that run from the rim to the canyon floor were partially searched yesterday however steep inclines, very rough terrain and thick underbrush made conditions unsafe for conventional ground searchers. The three technical rescue teams that were deployed today were assigned to thoroughly check the slot canyons in the area. At approximately 11:10 am today a technical rescue team that was searching an unnamed slot canyon from the rim down discovered Debra Schwartz’s body.

It should be noted the this technical rescue team completed two rope rappels to make their way into the canyon to a spot where they were able to see the body and then a third rappel to actually reach the body. She was located approximately ½ mile from her campsite. The body will be transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives will work with personnel from the medical examiner’s office in an attempt to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Unit for providing ground searchers, dog search teams, mounted searchers, the Yavapai County Jeep Posse, their Air Rescue Helicopter and their technical rescue teams. We would also like to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for the assistance of their air rescue helicopters and crews based in Flagstaff and in Kingman.

We are also grateful for the investigative assistance given by the ASU Police Department. Finally we cannot express the extent of our continuing gratitude to all of the tireless men and women of the Coconino County Search and Rescue Unit.

Multi-Agency Search for Missing Camper in Oak Creek Canyon

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image004Oak Creek Canyon — On Friday, May 6, 2016 at about 9:07 am 911 dispatchers received a call from an individual who identified himself as the campground host for the Pine Flat Campground located in Oak Creek Canyon. According to the caller an adult female who was camping by herself failed to check out of her camping space as she was scheduled to do. The host identified the missing camper as fifty-nine year-old Debra Ann Schwartz of Tempe, Arizona.

Upon the Deputies arrival at Pine Flats they found the missing person’s vehicle and her assembled tent and other camping equipment. It appears that Debra Schwartz left her campground for an unknown destination and failed to return as scheduled.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Command Staff, Deputies and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel are conducting an intensive ground search aided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter based in Kingman, AZ. Although the helicopter crew has conducted multiple flights in the area they have not detected the presence of the missing person. Sheriff’s Detectives are conducting a parallel missing person investigation in an attempt to determine the circumstances leading up to Debra’s disappearance.

Anyone with information regarding the current location or the circumstances leading up to Debra Schwartz’s disappearance are urged to immediately contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s department asking assistance in locating missing person

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image004NAME: Debra Schwartz
RACE: White
GENDER: Female
AGE: 59
HEIGHT: 5’4”
WEIGHT: 160
EYES: Green
HAIR: Brown

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any information about the location and welfare of Debra Schwartz. She was last seen on the morning of May 4, 2016 at Pine Flat Campground in Oak Creek Canyon. Debra did not check out of the campground as expected and there is concern for her welfare. If anyone has information about Debra Schwartz please call 1-800-338-7888. It is unknown what clothing she was wearing at her disappearance.

Sheriff’s Office presents two Community Emergency Response Team Trainings for the Flagstaff area and Surrounding Communities

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Emergency Management Division will present two (three) day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training classes at the Law Enforcement Administration Facility located at 911 E. Sawmill Road. More than 100 CERT classes have been delivered to urban, rural and reservation communities throughout Coconino County.

The first class will be begin Tuesday, May 10,2016 from 8:00 am to 5:00 prn, Wednesday, May 11 from 8 am to 5 pm and Thursday, May 12 8 am to noon.

The second class will begin on Friday, May 13,2016 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 14 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, May 15, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. These training sessions are offered to all community members free of charge.

Basic CERT Training addresses the following areas:

Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster.

Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers. sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.

Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.

Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.

Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SL\1ULATlON: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.

Community members who would like additional information or who wish to register for one of the basic training sessions are encouraged to call the Community Programs Office of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Fifty-Nine Year-Old Lost Hiker Rescued from Humphries Peak

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FLAGSTAFF — On April 21st at approximately 8:30 AM the Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue responded to a report of a lost hiker on Humphrey’s Peak. The 59 year old male hiker was determined to be off trail at approximately 11,700 foot elevation in an area known as Temptation Gully. The hiker was reported to be cold, tired, disoriented, with some underlying medical conditions.

Search and Rescue personnel hiked into the area and located the hiker at 12:43 AM. After assessing his condition it was determined that the safest route was to hike to the Humphrey’s Saddle and then evaluate the options for evacuation. A second search team hiked to the Humphreys Saddle and prepared to receive the hiker and provide warm drinks, food, and dry clothing.

Due to the hikers fatigue and symptoms of acute mountain sickness an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Air Rescue helicopter from Phoenix was requested to evaluate landing at the saddle to pick up the hiker. DPS Air Rescue arrived in the area of the saddle at 3:30 AM and attempted to land but was unable to due to high winds. The decision was made to camp just off the saddle and out of the wind until daylight allowing the hiker time to rest and regain normal body temperature. The daylight would also offer increased visibility. At 4:15 AM a third search team equipped with a litter and ropes began hiking to the saddle and was prepared to assist the hiker if he became unable to hike out on his own due his symptoms of acute mountain sickness and fatigue.

At approximately 6:00 AM the hiker and the search teams began to hike down the Humphreys Trail. An Arizona Snowbowl Snowcat was dispatched to an area near the ski area boundary at the base of the Pluto ski run. The Search and Rescue Teams assisted the hiker to that location where he was loaded into the snowcat and transported to the Agassiz Lodge to be reunited with a family member. The Search and Rescue personnel hiked down the mountain and completed the mission by 11:30 A.M.

This incident was another example of the close working relationship between the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, DPS Air Rescue, and the Arizona Snowbowl to resolve an emergency. Even in the spring, winter like conditions can still exist on the San Francisco Peaks. Hikers on the peaks trails should research the conditions and be prepared to turn around if the conditions become hazardous or the trail becomes difficult to navigate. Hikers should also be personally and physically prepared for the hike including carrying the appropriate equipment and clothing and leaving a detailed trip plan with a trusted person.

Person Arrested in Home Invasion

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FLAGSTAFF/DONEY PARK — On Monday, March 28, 2016 at about 4:49 pm an adult female who resides at a residence located on Winchester Drive in Doney Park reported a suspicious person. According to the caller a male approached her in her garage saying he needed help. He told her that people were after him and then he ran away from the property. Due to his physical appearance and his actions the believed the subject was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

At about 4:52 pm a second adult female who lives in the same area as the first caller reported someone was trying to break through the backdoor of her home. She observed the subject at the back door hitting the door and yelling “people were trying to get him”. She said the subject went to another backdoor, she then locked herself in her bedroom and called 911.

The subject broke through the second door entering the home yelling “people are after me”, he then grabbed a kitchen knife and exited the front door.

The second caller’s husband, returned home and parked his vehicle in the driveway, when the subject exited the home and approached him. According to the victim’s husband the subject held a knife walking toward him saying “people are after me”. He said the subject appeared to be paranoid as he was continuously looking over his shoulder. As the husband stepped out of his vehicle the suspect who was approximately 15 feet away from him dropped the knife. The suspect then crouched in front of the vehicle in an attempt to conceal himself. The husband stepped on the knife and Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer arrived and arrested the suspect.

The subject was identified as 18 year old Sanjahsee Begay and was transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility where he was incarcerated on one count of First Degree Trespass (Felony), one count of Felony Criminal Damage, one count of Second Degree Burglary (Felony), and one count of Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor).

Toddler Dies from Injuries Sustained when Hit by Vehicle in Driveway

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FLAGSTAFF — On Thursday, March 31, 2016 around 9:48 am the Flagstaff Police/Coconino Sheriff 911 Dispatch Center received an emergency call from a distraught man in route to the Flagstaff Medical Center with his approximately two-year old son. The man told dispatch that the child had been struck by his truck as he was leaving his driveway.

Officers in the field were notified and Flagstaff Police Department located the vehicle in route and escorted it to the hospital. The child was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

According to the father/driver, he was unaware the child had followed him outside. He further stated he was not able to see the child over the hood of the vehicle. The incident occurred at a resident off of Fort Valley Road.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office are continuing investigation of the incident.

The thoughts of the Sheriff’s Office and Northern Arizona Gazette are with the family, friends and community impacted by this tragedy.

Artwork and Poetry from Inmates of Coconino Jail to be Showcased at Local Coffee House

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500-Art2FLAGSTAFF — More than thirty artistic drawings and sketches created by individuals while they were in-custody at the Coconino County Jail will be on display at Firecreek Coffee located at 22 East Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona. The event will take place on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is open to the public free of charge. This event also will highlight a compilation of poems and literary pieces completed by inmates titled “My Self Portrait.”

The art and poetry are from inmates enrolled in the Coconino County Detention Facility Exodus program which is an in-custody substance abuse treatment program for men and women detained within the jail. Goals of the Exodus Program include:

• Reduce the impact substance abuse has on our community.
• Provide therapeutic and educational services to assist addicted inmates in making the decision to avoid future alcohol or drug consumption.
• Enhance inmates’ ability to make positive changes in their lives.
• Strengthen families, reduce recidivism and provide a proactive response to alcohol and substance abuse related crimes.
500-Art3
The Exodus Program incorporates parenting classes, health education, creative writing, expressive art classes, stress management training and other life skills lessons that are provided by staff and outside agencies. Our on-staff art and creative writing teacher recognized the extraordinary artistic talent possessed by many of the men and women who participate in the Exodus Program. The Sheriff’s Office hopes this art display will enlighten community members as to the value and abilities of many of our inmates.

We would like to thank Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, Hidden Light Framing and Firecreek Coffee for their vision to see the value of this project and for their support and contributions.

Please visit the Coconino Sheriff Facebook page to get a preview of some of the art that will be showcased.