Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Two university students rescued from Mount Wilson

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit coordinated the rescue of two hikers stranded on Wilson Mountain on Friday morning 7/1/16.

Around 7:15 PM on Thursday 6/30/16 the regional 911 Center in Flagstaff received a call from two hikers who had become stranded by cliffs on the south face of Wilson Mountain north of the city of Sedona. The hikers had started their hike around 2:00 PM and got off trail around 4:00 PM. They continued to hike up the mountain until they became stuck on rock cliffs.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Sheriff’s Search and Rescue crews. Two search crews hiked trails up to the area, but were unable to reach the hikers due to the cliffs and nightfall. Searchers had contact with the subject and were able to establish the hikers were alright and had the hikers shelter in place until morning.

At daylight, a Coconino County Search and Rescue Technical team along with a Sedona Fire Technical team responded to the area. The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter from Tucson was responding to the area, but was cancelled when the Flagstaff Helicopter became available.

The Flagstaff Ranger helicopter located the stranded hikers from the air and and maneuvered a one skid landing on the cliff. The helicopter medic was able to scramble up to the hikers and walk them back down to the helicopter. They were flown off the mountain to Slide Rock State Park. Both hikers were examined by Sedona Fire medics and released with no injuries.

The hikers were both in their early 20’s and students of Arizona State University (ASU) and Mesa Community College.

Skeletal Remains Located North of Jacob Lake

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FREDONIA — Around 10:00 AM 7/1/2016 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising that a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ.

A local rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area and are currently processing the scene. Deputies did locate a handgun under the remains. Deputies and detectives are checking missing person cases and attempting to identify the remains.

$750 reward offered for information in illegal killing of a mule deer buck

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operation_game_thief_footer The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief program is offering up to a $750 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the illegal poaching of a mule deer buck. The deer’s remains were discovered near Happy Valley Rd. and the AZ-303 loop in Peoria.

Game and Fish investigators believe the buck was killed during the Father’s Day weekend. It appears to have been poached close to the Valley, transported and dumped at the location.

“Poachers are not hunters. They are thieves stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona,” said Joshua Hurst, AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Program Manager. “If you saw something—even if you think you saw—something suspicious or learned about the crime through social media, please call our Operation Game Thief Hotline. Do the right thing and call today.”

The Department relies on the citizens of Arizona to assist in the reduction of wildlife violations. If you have any information or knowledge of this incident, please contact Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, or on the web at www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml.

Every year, the Department pays cash rewards to individuals who report wildlife crimes in Arizona. Under law, callers can remain anonymous and their confidentiality is protected. Money for rewards comes from criminal poaching fines, civil restitution by violators who commit wildlife crimes, and donations.

Citizen Involved Shooting on SR87 near Blue Ridge Area

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160628-shooting-1 FLAGSTAFF — Two people are in custody and one person in stable condition after two citizens shot at a suspected DUI driver on SR87 near milepost 278.

On Monday June 27, 2016 around 2:30 pm the Sheriff’s Office received a report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) of a shooting that occurred on SR87 near milepost 278. The DPS Troopers had two male subjects detained who were involved in the shooting. Medics were tending to a male victim who had received a gunshot wound to the chest. A Sheriff’s Office Detective responded from our Flagstaff office to investigate the incident.

38-year-old Shane A Tebo and 28-year-old Brandon M. Vongthongthip (both of Phoenix, AZ) were traveling north on SR87 when they observed what they believed to be a DUI driver traveling behind them who they reported was swerving in and out of his lane. They called 911 to report the driver, and an attempt to locate was dispatched to DPS Troopers in the area. Mr. Tebo was driving at the time, and attempted to slow or block the suspected DUI driver. At one point, the suspect DUI driver drove off the road into a ditch. At that time, Mr. Tebo drove his vehicle up next to the vehicle in the ditch to block the driver from returning to the road.

Mr. Tebo and Mr. Vongthongthip both were openly carrying Glock firearms and ammunition on their belts. Mr. Tebo exited his vehicle and attempted to take the keys from the suspected DUI driver whose vehicle was still running, but he could not get between the vehicles.

The vehicle being driven by the suspected DUI driver, 31-year-old Jesse G. Olsson (of Payson, AZ), apparently moved forward. At that time, Mr. Tebo shot several rounds into the engine block of the car trying to stop the car and the driver. The vehicle moved forward again at which time Mr. Vongthongthip fired several shots from his passenger seat at the suspected DUI driver. The driver of the DUI vehicle suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.

Around this time, an Arizona Department of Transportation vehicle and crew had observed the two vehicles in the ditch and had turned around to offer assistance. They observed the weapons and a person on the ground. They radioed their dispatch who contacted DPS. DPS Troopers responded, secured the scene and detained the two shooters.

Medical personnel from Pine-Strawberry Fire and Medics continued to treat the victim who was then airlifted by DPS Air Rescue to John C. Lincoln hospital. The victim Mr. Olsson is in stable condition but has not been able to give a statement to investigators. Detectives continue the investigation into the possible role of DUI in this incident.

Shane A Tebo and Brandon M. Vongthongthip were booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility in Flagstaff, AZ. Mr. Tebo was booked on Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct. Mr. Vongthongthip was booked on Second Degree (Attempted) Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct.

Multiple Agencies Respond to Search and Rescue Events in Coconino County Over the Last Several Days

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FLAGSTAFF — Summer has arrived and agencies in Coconino County are responding to search and rescue efforts. Visitors are coming up to get out of the heat in other areas. The Kaibab Forest, Grand Canyon, the San Francisco Peaks and other areas present their own dangers. Williams still experiences heat, for example, and many neglect to take water on their hikes. Now that the monsoons are here, lightning presents a problem in northern Arizona. Lightning strikes can kill or cause fires.

The following are several incidents that happened over the last few weeks as reported by the Coconino County Sheriff’s office.

On June 21, 2016 just after 9:00 pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 70-year-old female hiker suffering from unknown medical condition that rendered her unable to complete her hike on Humphreys Peak Trail. The woman and her husband began their hike at 7:30 am, they reached the summit and were on their way out when the woman became unable to hike further. Guardian Medical Transport, Sheriff’s deputy and Search and Rescue personnel responded. Responders carried the woman to the Snowbowl parking lot using a litter carry. The woman who is from the Phoenix area was then transported by ground ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center.

On June 25, 2016 around 2:10 pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 50-year-old female hiker who was conscious but had suffered injuries after falling approximately 100 feet downhill while hiking Maxwell Trail in West Clear Creek. Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and Blue Ridge Fire and Medics hiked to the location of the injured woman, tended to her injuries and then prepared her for a short haul by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Heli-Rescue Technician and an Arizona DPS Air Rescue helicopter out of Kingman. The short haul occurred around 5:45 pm. The woman who was hiking with a group of approximately six people was from the Phoenix area. Once short hauled out of West Clear Creek, she was then transported by Guardian Air to Flagstaff Medical Center.

On June 25, 2016 around 3:53 pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from Flagstaff Police Department regarding missing person Bryon Cole Middlebrook. Mr. Middlebrook had been reported missing earlier that day, and friends located his car in the Arizona Snowbowl parking area. The Sheriff’s Office responded to the Snowbowl area and began investigating his whereabouts. On Sunday, June 26 the Sheriff’s Office ground search for Mr. Middlebrook continued. Arizona DPS Air Rescue helicopter out of Kingman assisted by conducting a fly over search of the area. That day, ground searchers found several items approximately ½ mile north of Hart Prairie lodge; these items were confirmed as belonging to Mr. Middlebrook. The search was resumed on the morning of Monday, June 27, 2016. Additional searchers from Flagstaff Fire Department’s wildland fire / fuels crew and two engines from the Coconino National Forest Wildland Fire crews as well as family and friends amounted to approximately 60 responders looking for Mr. Middlebrook. Around 8:30 am, Mr. Middlebrook was located deceased by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. He appears to have died from self-inflicted injuries.

On June 25, 2016, while Sheriff’s deputies and Search and Rescue personnel were engaged in the West Clear Creek rescue and the missing person search near Snowbowl, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 911 open line phone call made from the Midgley Bridge area. Sedona Police Department responded and located an unoccupied vehicle parked in the area. Further investigation indicated that the vehicle belonged to a woman in her mid to late forties who intended suicide. Responders tried to locate the woman but due to safety factors had to wait until daylight to continue the search. The following morning, the woman was located deceased below the bridge. State Route 89A at Midgley Bridge was closed temporarily around 9:40 am this morning while Search and Rescue personnel used an artificial high directional rope rescue raising system to recover the woman’s body. Further information about the woman is being withheld until notification of next of kin.

Sheriff Department Woods Watch training Wednesday June 15

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department will be holding a Woods Watch Training on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 6-8 pm at the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility, 911 E. Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Please remember that to continue as a Woods Watch Participant, we need you to attend / renew this training annually and complete an updated application / waiver form.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP at 928-226-5012 or sheriff@coconino.az.gov

Concerns about dry conditions, wind, and the impending Wildland Fire Season are on the minds of many community members in our cities and unincorporated areas of Coconino County. Community members can help keep our communities safe through a partnership with government and public safety agencies by volunteering for the Woods Watch Program.

To sign up, community members need to attend an approximately 2-hour training and complete a simple application process. The training and application need to be completed / renewed annually to ensure all information is current.

The Woods Watch Program is similar to Neighborhood Watch and is of vital importance in residential areas that interface with forested land. Volunteers are trained to assist local officials in watching for and properly reporting people accessing closed areas or people who are using fire carelessly or against fire restrictions, especially on forested lands. Community volunteers make a commitment to join local law enforcement officers to keep our communities and our forests beautiful, safe and free of wild land fires.

Each year over 100 volunteers have attended Woods Watch training and assist by being good witnesses to suspicious activity occurring on or near our forested lands and communities. This first class of this year will be held on June 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm in the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility Auditorium at 911 E. Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ. Please register by calling (928) 226-5012 to help us plan accordingly.

Inmate who committed suicide identified

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff has released the identity of the inmate who committed suicide after identifying the next of kin. The man was identified as 38-year-old Alvin Omar Berrios-Martinez. The man was being held on a warrant for previous damage to jail property.

Inmate Commits Suicide

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FLAGSTAFF — On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at around 1:13 pm Coconino County Detention Facility Officers conducting an inmate welfare check found an inmate unresponsive in the shower of the medical unit holding area. The inmate had hanged himself with a sheet from the shower bar. Detention Officers and Medical Staff quickly began lifesaving actions including CPR.

The inmate was transported by Guardian Medical Transport to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) for further medical treatment. The inmate passed away around 2:45 am on June 10 at FMC.

The 38-year-old male was in custody for a failure to appear warrant out of Flagstaff Justice Court on original felony charges related to destruction of jail property. He had been living transiently in Mohave County when he was arrested on the warrant.

His name is being withheld until notification of next of kin. Foul play is not suspected.

Thief compromises Bert Fire operations and public safety

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image013VALLE — On Tuesday morning a firefighter assigned to the Bert Fire on the Kaibab National Forest discovered the theft of essential emergency safety equipment taken from the scene of the Bert Fire southeast of Valle, Arizona.

Sometime during the night hours of Monday June 6, an electronic safety message sign that was placed on highway 180 was vandalized and multiple power batteries were stolen from inside of the unit. The sign board which displayed illuminated safety messages for travelers was rendered inoperable. The messages were designed to alert drivers of approaching hazardous conditions including smoke and fire personnel working in the area.

Officials would like to remind the public of the importance of safety when conduction fire operations that are near or within rural areas and adjacent to busy highway corridors. These types of careless actions can elevate danger and reduce the ability to provide for public safety of both firefighters and motorists. U.S. Forest Service law enforcement is currently working with the Coconino County Sheriff’s office and would encourage anyone with information related to this crime to contact the sheriff’s office at 928-774-4523 or USFS Law Enforcement at 928-635-5642.

Four Individuals Indicted on Charges for Death of 6-Year-Old Boy

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ash-fork-1ASH FORK — On June 6, 2016 four people were arraigned in Coconino County Superior Court following a May 25, 2016 Grand Jury indictment for the death of six-year-old, Jason Hester. The indictment came after a nearly year-long investigation into the boy’s death by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Detectives.

On June 22, 2015 the boy was found unresponsive in the home of his aunt and primary caretaker, Lillian Hester. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Kaibab Estates Fire personnel responded and attempted lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful in reviving the boy. The boy was pronounced deceased later that day at Flagstaff Medical Center.

An autopsy was performed by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. The official cause of death was undetermined, but there were multiple findings suspicious of child neglect. The boy weighed 29 pounds at the time of the autopsy and showed signs of dehydration, multiple bruises and abrasions.

Indicted were:
37-year-old, Lillian Hester (aunt, primary caretaker) – indicted on first degree murder and child abuse
64-year-old, Lenda Hester (maternal grandmother) – indicted on negligent homicide and child abuse
61-year-old, Kimmy Wilson (boyfriend of Lenda) – indicted on negligent homicide and child abuse
36-year-old, Jason Conlee (live-in boyfriend of Lillian) – indicted on negligent homicide and child abuse

All four individuals are residents of an unincorporated area of Coconino County, north of Ashfork, AZ.