Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Barricaded Subject in Kachina Village

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 23, 2020 since around 1:16 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has been working a barricaded subject accused of Sexual Assault in the area of Chof Trail in Kachina Village. On scene deputies are still trying to confirm if the suspect is in the residence.

Information obtained from the reporting party was the victim along with two other children had removed themselves from the house and made their way to the reporting party’s residence. The reporting party advised that the suspect was the only one in the residence.

After arriving on scene, deputies confirmed the safety of the victim and children who had been in residence. Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence in which the suspect was last seen. At this time no contact has been made with the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to attempt to contact the suspect through phone and loudspeaker. The suspect has been identified as Jason Gonnie an 18-year-old Native American male, 5 foot 9 inches tall, slim build, black hair and black eyes.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter has been deployed along with the Northern Arizona Regional Tactical Team. Efforts are ongoing to confirm Gonnie is still in the residence. Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time. More information will be made available as the investigation progresses.

Pop-Up Art Show Featuring Drawings and Sketches by Inmates of the Coconino County Jail

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FLAGSTAFF – Artistic drawings and sketches created by individuals while they were in-custody at the Coconino County Jail will be on display at the Exodus Pop-Up Art Show at the Coconino Center for the Arts, located at 2300 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona. The opening reception will be Friday, January 24 from 6 – 8 pm with an entrance fee of $5 at the door. The art can also be viewed Saturday, January 25 and Sunday January 26 from 11 am – 5 pm.

This is the second official Exodus Art Show highlighting artistic pieces from individuals who participated in the Exodus program at the Coconino County Jail. The first show was held in 2016 at a Firecreek Coffee and recently pieces of inmate art also were displayed at the Art in Action exhibit at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.

The Coconino County Detention Facility Exodus program is an in-custody substance abuse treatment program for men and women detained at the jail. 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.

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.

Many of the inmates housed in our facility have much to give and share with the community, and art can be part of the recovery and re-entry process. The Sheriff’s Office hopes this art display will enlighten community members as to the talent and abilities of many of our inmates, as well as the positive impact of the Exodus program on the lives of people in our community.

Arrest made in in Cosnino neighborhood death

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Casey Dark – CCSO booking photo

FLAGSTAFF – Detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the death of 45 year old Cosnino resident, Joshua Dark that occurred on December 26.

Immediately after the incident, Detectives served a search warrant on the residence where the incident occurred and interviewed Joshua’s wife regarding the shooting. Detectives have since interviewed several other witnesses as well.

Detectives presented the case to a Coconino County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge the suspect, Dark’s wife, 26 year old Casey Dark with 2nd Degree Murder. An arrest warrant was issued and on January 9, 2020 Casey was arrested without incident and booked into the Coconino County Jail for one count of 2nd Degree Murder. The United States Marshall’s Office assisted in locating and arresting Dark.

New Year’s Eve – Route 66 DUI Task Force

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Northern AZ Law Enforcement Agencies wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season. We want to remind you, as always our Officers, Deputies and Troopers will be patrolling 24 hours a day 7 days a week to keep our communities safe.

As New Year’s approaches, we know there will be many parties and festivities. We will have increased enforcement patrols during this busy time of the year. In addition, Law Enforcement in Northern Arizona will conduct a multi-agency DUI Task Force on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, AZ Department of Public Safety and Northern Arizona University Police will be participating. We will be posting several DUI trailers throughout the area where officers can take possible violators to gather samples of breath and blood draws if driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is suspected.

It is our hope that by publicizing this task force and advising the public of this event, people will be encouraged to not drive while under the influence. A taxi, Uber, LYFT, Shuttle or Designated Driver is a much cheaper and safer option than taking a chance of driving while intoxicated. In addition, NAIPTA will be offering free bus service on New Year’s Eve until 1:15 am.

Don’t take a chance of ruining your life or the life of someone else by driving intoxicated or recklessly. Being arrested for DUI is very a costly life event. If you are arrested and convicted of DUI, you can face a low-end cost of around $5000. That does not include missed time at work or with family. DUI results in mandatory jail time if convicted, with a minimum of one night in jail, and incarceration increases with severity of the crime.

Please take this time to prepare for your travel and other festivities. Help us keep everyone safe on the roads this New Year’s Eve.

Sheriff’s detectives continue investigation into Williams burglaries

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WILLIAMS – Detectives continue to work to positively identify stolen property recovered in the search warrants conducted last week. The suspects were using a white GMC Yukon to travel in the Valle and Red Lake neighborhoods and are thought to have burglarized at least 20-25 residences between May and November 2019. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office and the Williams Police Department also are investigating burglaries that occurred within the City of Williams. Detectives recovered approximately 120 items of suspected stolen property during the search warrants and are diligently working to contact potential victims to identify their property. Due to the number of burglaries and items that were recovered, this is taking some time to put together.

Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail last week for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. Sheriff’s deputies worked with the Williams Police Department in making the arrests.

The case remains active and under investigation by Detectives. As the investigation continues, the Sheriff’s Office anticipates additional charges to be referred to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office.

Two Suspects in Custody on Williams Area Burglaries

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WILLIAMS – On December 6, 2019 detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants in the Williams District of Coconino County and within the City of Williams. These search warrants stemmed from several burglaries that had been reported in the Red Lake and Valle neighborhoods north of Williams between May and November of 2019. During the investigation, Detectives were able to identify suspects in the case. During the execution of the search warrants, several items were located and recovered that had been reported stolen from the burglaries.

Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. The case remains active and under investigation, which may result in additional charges.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Williams Police Department with their assistance in this case.

Northern First Responders held Winter Preparedness meeting

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FLAGSTAFF – On November 19, 2019 Northern Arizona First Responder Agencies held their annual Winter Preparedness meeting at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies in attendance included Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Game and Fish, Highlands Fire Department, United States Forest Service, and representatives from Arizona Snowbowl and the Nordic Village.

Topics of discussion included, coordinated response of the above agencies, sharing of winter specific resources, impacts of upcoming winter storms, snow play and parking issues along
Highway 180, Kachina Village, Munds Park and other areas throughout the County; and response to lost or injured recreationists, hunters, Christmas tree cutters, and skiers.

Coconino County also would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the Winter Parking Ordinance which went into effect on November 1, 2019. The Winter Parking Ordinance prohibits parking on County roadways between the dates of November 1st and April 1st on a 24-hour basis to assist in snow removal. For more information on the parking ordinance visit
https://coconino.az.gov/1945/Winter-Parking-Information.

With winter approaching, Northern Arizona First Responder agencies want to remind all residents and visitors to be personally prepared for the conditions when traveling or recreating in Northern Arizona. This includes knowing travel routes, weather conditions, carrying emergency items in your vehicle, and being wearing and carrying appropriate clothing and gear when outdoors. Always leave detailed travel and recreation plans with a responsible friend or family member.

The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind motorists to not blindly trust vehicle GPS or smartphone mapping tools when traveling. It is important to pay attention to road signs and road conditions to determine if the route suggested is a practical one. In many cases, especially in the winter, the GPS and smartphone apps do not take into account the weather or road maintenance and many motorists following those apps become lost or stranded due to the conditions.

Arrest Made in Alan Arvey Murder Case

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Michael Wyffels

FLAGSTAFF – On October 29, 2019 a suspect arrested in Portland, Oregon for his involvement in the August 17th murder of Alan Arvey was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility.

After Alan Arvey was identified as the victim in this case detectives were able to identify a suspect by tracking bank account transactions for Mr. Arvey. Detectives were able to identify a male subject captured on ATM video surveillance and other business surveillance video associated with purchases and withdrawals made both before and after Mr. Arvey was discovered deceased along Highway 89A, in Oak Creek Canyon. Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Michael Wyffels, a 55-year-old male from Sun City, Az.

These credit card transactions led detectives to the Portland, Oregon area. Detectives from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office worked with Detectives from the Washington County (OR) Sheriff’s Office to locate Wyffels at a residence in the town of Beaverton, Oregon. Wyffels was taken into custody by Oregon authorities for charges related to credit card fraud in the Beaverton, Oregon area on August 28, 2019. During the investigation, detectives found that Wyffels had been released from the Arizona Department of Corrections on August 16, 2019, one day prior to the murder of Alan Arvey.

On October 29, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office detectives took custody of Michael Wyffels from the Washington County (OR) Sheriff’s Office in Hillsboro, Oregon and transported him back to Flagstaff. Wyffels was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for First Degree Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Theft of Means of Transportation. Wyffels is currently being held on a $3 million bond.

Coconino County Sheriff’s – Recent SAR Incidents & Reminder of 10 Essentials

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit has responded to four incidents over the past week. Search and Rescue also would like to remind outdoor users to carry the 10 Essentials.

The first began on the morning of October 23 when Search and Rescue was requested to assist with a search for a 22-year-old male subject from Georgia. The man had called his girlfriend and stated that he had been involved in a vehicle accident in the area of Welch Road west of Williams and had been wandering around the woods trying to find a road. That subject, Matthew Pearce, was fleeing Georgia after a probation violation warrant was issued for his arrest. Search and Rescue assisted in coordinating a search for Pearce using deputies from both Coconino and Yavapai counties, small unmanned aerial systems, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit, and Search and Rescue volunteers from Coconino County who searched on foot, via horseback, and used search dogs. Pearce was located in good condition on the morning of October 26th. He was taken into custody for the arrest warrant and booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility.

On October 23 at approximately 3:20 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded with Summit Fire District and Guardian Medical Transport to an injured hiker at approximately 11,000 feet elevation on the Humphrey’s Peak Trail. Responders were assisted by Arizona Snowbowl personnel and their UTV to transport rescuers. The 57-year-old female from California was located at approximately 5:30 pm and her leg injury was stabilized, and she was carried in a litter with a litter wheel to a waiting search and rescue UTV parked inside the Arizona Snowbowl ski area. She was then driven to a waiting ambulance at Agassiz Lodge parking lot. The hiker was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

On the afternoon of October 28, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded along with Highlands Fire District, Flagstaff Fire Department, and Guardian Medical Transport to a climbing accident at the Pit climbing area which is accessible from the Canyon Vista Campground on Lake Mary Road. A 23-year-old male from Flagstaff fell approximately 40 feet while lead climbing. The climber sustained injuries to his back. Rescuers secured the climber in a litter and lowered him to the canyon floor and then carried him out to the campground to a waiting ambulance for transport to Flagstaff Medical Center.

At approximately 8:00 pm on October 28 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded to a report of an overdue subject in the Cinder Lakes area. The 62-year-old transient male was reported overdue from a walk. He had last been seen at approximately 1:30 pm. The subject had sent some SOS emails to a companion, but he was not found at the locations indicated on the emails. After sending the emails it appeared that his phone had run out of battery power. A search was initiated with search and rescue personnel, deputies, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit. The subject was located at approximately 2:00 am on October 29 after he made contact with his companion by phone and was instructed to call 911. He was located off road in the Cinder Lakes area approximately 3 miles south east of his camp. He was cold, but in otherwise good condition. He was reunited with his companion at their camp.

The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind outdoor users to be prepared for their activities by researching the weather and carrying the appropriate equipment including the 10 Essentials in addition to a fully charged cell phone. The 10 Essentials include water, food, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS), a headlamp, first aid kit, shelter material (space blanket or large leaf bag), a fire-starting kit, pocket knife, and signal equipment (whistle and signal mirror). In addition to carrying the equipment and the knowledge to use the equipment safely, it is important to leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person.

Double Murder victims identified

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WILLIAMS – The Coconino County Sheriff’s has arrested a Williams man for the murder of his wife and her sister at a home north of Williams.

The victims have been identified as 70 year old Elaine Fann and her 65 year old sister, Vivian Scheuerman. Both victims lived at Fann’s home on Pine Road in the Red Lake area. Both victims had
been shot and appeared to have died as a result of those injuries. Autopsies will be performed by the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office.

The suspect is identified as 60 year old Gustavo Espino. Espino also lived on the property and is believed to be the boyfriend and business partner or employee of Elaine. Espino was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on two counts of murder and being held on $2 million bond. Detectives are continuing the investigation into both deaths.