The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino National Forest wants citizens to be aware of the work being done by the Coconino Sheriff’s Inmate Work Crew and Forest Service personnel to help mitigate the unsightly broken sleds and other trash left behind on public lands during winter recreation. Many residents and visitors have voiced their concerns about large amounts of trash that has been left behind during winter recreation. Few agencies have enough resources to handle the trash issues alone and there are no trash services on public lands, which is why it is important for people recreating in the snow to clean up any trash or broken sleds before leaving the area.
As more and more people leave their trash behind, more and more help is needed to clean it up. The Coconino Sheriff’s Inmate Work Crew helping to pick up trash and take care of public lands is yet another example of the many ways inmates are giving back to the community in a positive way. The Inmate Work Crew has worked closely with the Coconino National Forest on this and other projects such as flood mitigation and cleanup of transient camps in the area. The Inmate Work Crew is regularly involved in picking up trash on public lands and has had work days in Williams, Tusayan, Tuba City, Timberline, and Picture Canyon, to name a few. The Crew also regularly assists other organizations such as County Public Works with graffiti removal, social service organizations with wood cutting for people in need, and County Parks and Recreation with projects.
Please help keep Flagstaff and the surrounding communities beautiful, and take care of your public lands so everyone can enjoy them. Pack out your trash after enjoying time playing in the snow in Northern Arizona.
Category Archives: Law Enforcement
Two Recent Winter Recreation Rescues on the San Francisco Peaks
FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Arizona Snowbowl has conducted two search and rescue missions on the San Francisco Peaks in the last couple of days.
The first was a search for two lost hikers who had attempted to summit Humphrey’s Peak by using the Humphrey’s Trail on January 10th. The trail was mostly indistinguishable due to the snow cover. The adult male and adult female called 911 at approximately 4:45 PM from a location at approximately 10,750 feet. The two hikers were unable to navigate back to the trail head and were becoming cold and did not have equipment for night time hiking. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel responded to the call and were assisted by the Arizona Snowbowl grooming snowcats so that they could be inserted near the wilderness boundary near the top of the Humphrey’s Chair Lift. The SAR personnel then hiked to the location of the hikers and provided them with warm clothes, food, and water before bringing them back to the top of the Humphrey’s Chair Lift where the snowcats transported them back to the Agassiz Lodge at 9:00 PM. Neither hiker requested any medical attention.
On January 11th at 12:45 PM Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol notified the Sheriff’s Office about two lost snowboarders who had left the ski area boundary and were in the area known as First Gully south of the ski area. The two snowboarders were separated by approximately half a mile. Ski Patrol, at the request of the Sheriff’s Office, left the ski area and skied down First Gully to locate one of the snowboarders. SAR personnel hiked in to the Viet Spring area to attempt to locate the second snowboarder. The second snowboarder eventually hiked out to the Viet Spring parking area where he was located by SAR personnel. Both snowboarders were reunited at the Viet Spring parking area and then reunited with friends at the Agassiz Lodge. Neither requested any medical attention.
In both missions the subjects were not adequately prepared for the winter backcountry. Winter trails that appear on maps may not be discernible in the field due to snow cover. Good backcountry navigation skills may be necessary including map reading, compass skills, and GPS skills. All backcountry travelers should be prepared with the “ten essentials” plus three winter backcountry essentials in addition to a cell phone. The “ten essentials” include water, food, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment, headlamp/flashlight, first aid kit, shelter material/space blanket, fire starting kit, pocket knife/mulit-tool, and whistle/signal mirror. The winter backcountry essentials are an avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, and avalanche beacon. A cell phone is a good item to carry but backcountry travelers should be aware that cellular service may not be available. Even if your cell phone does not indicate that it has signal, if you have an emergency you should still attempt to call 911. All backcountry travelers should leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person who can contact emergency services in the event that the traveler does not check in or return by a specified time. When exploring the winter backcountry on the San Francisco Peaks the backcountry travelers should be aware of the potential for avalanche hazards. Additional education about avalanche hazards and avoidance is available from the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center at www.kachinapeaks.org.
Williams responds to overturned semi on I-40
WILLIAMS – Williams first responders responded to an overturned semi-truck on I-40 about five-miles east of Williams about 9:10 a.m. The multi-agency response also consisted of Arizona Department of Public Safety, Lifeline ambulance and animal control from Flagstaff.
A semi-truck with a load of chicken overturned on I-40 westbound about five-miles west of Williams landing approximately 130-feet off of the freeway. The driver suffered minor lacerations to the face and was transported by Lifeline Ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Facility.
The driver had five Chihuahuas in the cab which appear to have not been injured. The report is three Chihuahua adults and two pups. A team from Flagstaff was dispatched to take care of the dogs.
Vehicle Pursuit Results in Multiple Investigative Leads
Flagstaff – At approximately 3:16 am this morning, a Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy engaged in a short vehicle pursuit which resulted in investigative leads in a stolen vehicle, vehicle burglaries, and drug paraphernalia.
During the early morning hours of January 10, a Coconino County Sheriff Deputy was traveling on San Francisco Street when she observed a gray Toyota Tundra traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle failed to yield at the red light on Switzer Canyon and San Francisco. The Deputy activated emergency lights and sirens to stop the vehicle on Cedar Avenue near Flagstaff Medical Center, but the vehicle accelerated away from her and ran through another red light. The vehicle was estimated at driving at rates of up to 60 mph.
The pursuit lasted a short distance. When the driver attempted to turn at Pine Cliff Drive, the vehicle slid off the road and crashed into a utility box. Four people exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The Deputy and her canine located one of the occupants who had a valid warrant for arrest.
The Toyota Tundra was reported stolen out of Surprise, Arizona. Inside the vehicle were items that appear to be related to vehicle burglaries that took place in Flagstaff. Drug paraphernalia and a large amount of heroin also were found in the vehicle.
Arrested during this incident was 38 year-old Consuelo Almendarez of Flagstaff.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with the Flagstaff Police Department in further investigation of this incident and other possible related crimes.
Investigators seek tips to catch deer poacher
FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a mule deer in Game Management Unit 5BS near Happy Jack, southeast of Flagstaff.
Game and Fish officers received information that the mature four-point mule deer was shot January 3 near the Clear Creek Pines subdivision. The deer was shot from the road within a quarter-mile of several occupied residences.
The most disgusting aspect of the case is the deer was left to waste.
“We hope the public will again come forward,” said Game and Fish Wildlife Manager Garrett Fabian. “Poaching is a crime against all Arizonans, and our sportsmen and women have shown a long, committed history of stepping forward with information to help to bring poachers to justice.”
Anyone with information about the case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700. Callers should provide case number 17-000023 and may remain confidential upon request. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered in this case for information leading to the arrest of the violator(s). Optionally, you may use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/thief.
Doney Park Man Arrested for Sexual Conduct with Minor and Related Charges
FLAGSTAFF – On Thursday, December 30, 2016 a Coconino Superior Court Grand Jury indictment was served on 60 year-old Herman Griego (resident of the Doney Park area northeast of Flagstaff, AZ) for sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse of a child, and sexual assault. The charges arose from a Sheriff’s Office investigation response to a report made at the beginning of December. During the investigation, several victims were identified. A felony warrant was issued and Mr. Griego was arrested on the warrant on December 23, 2016.
The incidents leading to the investigation and arrest occurred from 2009 through recent months. Victims were under aged females whom Mr. Griego knew through friendships with other members of the victims’ families.
As the investigation continues, additional charges may be brought forth. Griego currently is being held at the Coconino County Detention Facility on $1,000,000 bond.
Bellemont Burglary and Assault Investigation
BELLEMONT – On December 30, 2016 around 12:00 am, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault and burglary in the Bellemont community west of Flagstaff, AZ. A female manager of the Bellemont McDonalds had just returned to her residence and entered her garage when two men broke in through the side door to her garage and assaulted her attempting to steal a box containing several thousand dollars. The suspects had sprayed the victim with pepper spray and tried to choke her.
When another person at the residence heard the noise and came to the garage door, the suspects fled on foot. The suspects are described as two men who were dressed in dark clothing with white bandanas. Their faces were covered, but one was described as tall and thin and the other as shorter and of a stocky build.
Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Troopers from Arizona Department of Public Safety in attempt to locate the suspects. It is believed that the suspects had knowledge of the money being carried in the box, targeting the victim specifically. The case is still under active investigation.
If you have any information regarding this incident or the suspects, you are asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928- 774-6111.
Behnke Sentenced on Child Pornography Related Charges
FLAGSTAFF — On December 20, 2016, 30 year-old Leroy Behnke was sentenced in Coconino County Superior Court Division 5 for charges related to child pornography. Behnke took a plea deal for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor for possession and distribution of child pornography. He was sentenced to 17 years in DOC, with lifetime probation and lifetime sex offender registration on his release.
On May 12, 2015 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agents contacted Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives regarding the possession and distribution of child pornography by an adult male who lived in the greater Flagstaff area. According to the FBI agents they developed information that caused them to believe that Leroy Behnke of Flagstaff was in possession of numerous images depicting young children and infants engaged in various sexual acts. They further believed that Behnke had obtained the images from several online chat rooms and then distributed the images to other online users.
On May 21, 2015 Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives, Deputies and FBI Agents served a search warrant on Behnke’s place of residence while he was at home. During the service of the search warrant, Behnke’s laptop computer was seized and he was interviewed by a Sheriff’s Detective and FBI agent. During the interview Behnke made statements that implicated him in numerous counts of possessing and exchanging child pornography images online. At that time, Behnke was arrested on 10 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Distribution and transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility where he was incarcerated.
This case is an example of the cooperative efforts between local and federal agencies in investigation, arrest and prosecution of suspects and criminal acts.
Keep Weather-Aware & Equipment-Prepared
FLAGSTAFF — With nationwide attention on the recent rescue of the Klein family and questions generated from the public, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and its Search and Rescue Unit would like to take this opportunity to remind people about being prepared before winter travel. Each year, the Sheriff’s Office responds to countless calls from motorists who have become stranded or stuck on impassable roads because they were following “alternate routes” listed on technology devices and map apps. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather, traffic accidents or a wrong turn could become life threatening. A short drive can turn into an emergency if you are unprepared. Keep Weather-Aware & Equipment-Prepared!
• Know before you go – Be aware of existing and impending weather conditions, and check weather and road reports frequently. If extreme winter weather is predicted during the duration of your trip, cancel it. Research alternative routes. Be prepared to stay overnight if weather changes or travel is delayed. Contact places you are planning to visit to confirm hours of operation and accessibility. For hikers, remember that in the winter, trails that are typically fairly easy to follow in the spring, summer, and fall are often covered in snow making following the trail difficult to impossible.
• Leave Detailed Trip Plans with a Trusted Person – The plan should include times and dates of departure and return. It should also include when you will arrive at certain checkpoints, even if no contact is established, it will assist searchers in locating you should you need their assistance. If trip plans change, it is important to notify the people with whom the trip plan was left so that this information can be shared with search and rescue teams if necessary.
• Don’t Rely on Phones & Map Apps – There are many places where cellular services or coverage still DO NOT exist. A cell phone does not guarantee your safety. Have the appropriate navigation equipment and knowledge of how to use that equipment. Do your research before following map app directions and realize that just because a route is listed does not mean it is passable.
• Accept Responsibility for Yourself – Emergency responders may not be immediately available and may take several hours before they can respond. If your location is unknown to emergency responders, it can take hours or even days before someone finds you. Resources such as helicopters and other specialty equipment are not guaranteed to be able to respond. Have emergency and survival gear with you. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
• Stay Together – Turn back and come the way you came if possible, or stay put. If you have prepared with appropriate winter weather gear and shared your trip plans, it is safer to stay put than to expose yourself to the elements or unknown terrain. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can affect your ability to survive.
• Be prepared for cold weather and winter driving conditions – Have a full tank of gas, chains, flashlight, blankets and other emergency items. Always fill your gasoline tank before entering open country, even for a short distance. If you leave your vehicle running to provide heat make sure the tail pipe is properly vented and clear of snow or any other debris. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is silent and deadly.
Clothing Tips: Dress warmly in layered clothing. Layers allow you to easily adjust your clothes to regulate body moisture and temperature. Three types of layers are considered normal: a liner layer against your skin (long-johns), an insulation layer (fleece), and a water- and wind-proof outer shell. Cotton loses its insulating qualities when it gets wet, whether it is from rain or sweat. Cotton also takes a long time to dry out. Wool or synthetic materials are much better suited for cold weather conditions. Boots should have a waterproof outer shell such as oiled leather or plastic. Hiking boots alone are usually not adequate in deep snow conditions for extended periods. Protect from heat loss through your` head by wearing a warm stocking cap or other winter hat. Make sure socks and gloves do not fit so tight that they constrict the blood flow which keeps your hands or feet from warming up. Pack plenty of extra clothing in case you the clothes you are wearing become wet. Hiking clothing or footwear that gets wet not only makes movement more difficult, it also can contribute to hypothermia and other cold related injuries or illness.
Food & Water Tips: Keep yourself adequately nourished to provide fuel for hiking and for simply keeping your body warm. Food should be easy to prepare and tasty enough to be appetizing. Drink plenty of water even though you don’t think you are thirsty. Water is necessary for your body to generate heat. A good rule of thumb for checking hydration is the color of your urine. Urine will be light colored or clear if you are properly hydrated. Keep water bottles from freezing in your pack by putting them in a wool sock or insulated bottle cover.
Gear Tips: Even for short day hikes winter outdoor enthusiasts should carry survival equipment. Essential items include fire starting equipment, a light source and extra batteries, appropriate extra clothing, water, food, navigation equipment, pocket knife, shelter materials, sunglasses or goggles, a backcountry shovel, a backpacking stove and fuel and a small metal cup.
• Backcountry users: Be familiar with avalanche hazard recognition and carry the appropriate safety equipment including an avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, backcountry shovel and winter survival gear. Backcountry users should not travel alone and should leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted friend. Cell phones are valuable tools but should not be relied upon in backcountry locations since cell coverage may be marginal. It is incumbent on winter backcountry users to acquire training and knowledge about avalanche safety. More information is available from the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center at www.kachinapeaks.org.
• Tips for Safe Snow Play: Be safe and aware. Don’t park along the highways to play in the snow. Watch out for hazards and other visitors. Be patient. Be a courteous driver. Roads may be congested. Leave no trace other than footprints and snowmen. Take your trash with you. Respect private property and other locations where snow play and sledding is not appropriate.
Here are a few links to some additional resources:
Winter Driving Safety Tips
https://www.weather.gov/wrn/getting_traction
http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/winter-driving-tips/#.WGLPxFMrLcs
https://www.travelers.com/resources/auto/safe-driving/winter-driving-safety-tips.aspx
Winter Storm Preparedness & Winter Safety
National Park Service and US Forest Service websites for different areas often have messages specific to recreation safety:
https://www.nps.gov/index.htm
https://www.fs.fed.us/
http://www.nsc.org/learn/Pages/safety-events-winter-safety.aspx
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm
Update: Persons of interest were hunting legally
Northern Arizona Gazette supports legal hunting. We do hope to help catch actual poachers. We presumed, as did Arizona Game and Fish Department, that the person who sent in this photo had some good faith indication that these legal hunters were poachers. We apologize to the couple for any inconvenience they may have suffered from this event.
SUPERIOR — The Arizona Game and Fish Department on Monday found that persons of interest in a photo distributed on some AZGFD social media accounts were hunting legally when they recently took a buck near Superior.
When they learned they were “persons of interest” through AZGFD social media posts, they contacted the Department, produced their tag and additional photos of the buck, and the investigation was concluded.
“This was a success story in that a member of the public reported what appeared to be suspicious behavior,” said AZGFD Officer Kriselle Colvin, “and thanks to social media and immediate cooperation of the hunter, we were able to confirm that this deer was in fact taken in a completely ethical and legal manner.”
Initially, a concerned citizen had sent the photo to Operation Game Thief. The majority of our state’s hunters do the right thing and uphold the game laws in Arizona — this case is another example.
If you see suspicious behavior, please contact AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml.