Suspect Taken Into Custody after Armed Stand Off

FLAGSTAFF –- An armed suspect in a domestic violence incident was arrested after a five and half hour standoff with police.

On Tuesday morning June 26, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic violence incident that allegedly occurred inside a home in the 2600 block of Kona Trail in the Kachina Village subdivision south of Flagstaff. The reporting party was the Coconino County Adult Probation Department. Probation had received a call from the female victim and her father, alleging the female’s boyfriend had become aggressive with the father, and later physically assaulted the female when she found a bag of suspected methamphetamines in the suspects personal possessions. The female also reported the suspect had a handgun on his person during the physical assault, but did not threaten or use the weapon. The suspect had allegedly told the female that he would not open the door for police or surrender.

The suspect is identified as 26-year-old Spencer William Bird. Bird is currently on probation for attempted sexual assault. Bird does not live in the home, but had asked to stay at the home and was asking for help stating he had a drug problem. He had been a guest in the home for two days.

The female and her father left the home and reported to the incident to the Adult Probation. The suspect was on probation out of Maricopa County and under courtesy supervision by Coconino County Adult Probation.

Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers worked together to get Bird to come out of the home under the pretense that Probation needed to visit with him. The suspect failed to show up to the meeting. Maricopa County Probation issued an arrest warrant based on information from this incident. Probation officers then attempted to locate the suspect at the home. The suspect would not answer the door or respond to officers. The Probation Officer and Sheriff Deputies tried for several hours to contact Bird, but he refused to answer his phone.

Surrounding neighbors were evacuated and two streets were closed during the incident. The Flagstaff Police Departments Joint Tactical Operations Team responded at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. Negotiators spent several hours attempting to contact Bird, but he refused to communicate with negotiators and the female victim.

A chemical irritant was introduced into the bathroom of the home, and Bird exited within minutes and surrendered to officers. Bird was treated on scene for the irritant, then transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for evaluation. Bird was later released from medical care. He was booked into the Coconino County Jail on the felony warrant issued out of Maricopa County with possible additional charges pending the investigation of this incident.

This was a joint operation involving several agencies. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Highlands Fire Department, Flagstaff Fire Department, Coconino County Adult Probation, and Guardian Ambulance. We also thank the residents in the area for their cooperation during the incident and evacuation.

70-Year-Old Scottsdale Woman Arrested on 2nd Degree Homicide Charges in the Death of Her 94-Year-Old Husband

COCONINO COUNTY -– On May 20, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a deceased elderly male in the Forest Lakes, AZ area. The deceased man had severe trauma and was found on the side of the road in the area of Forest Service Road 512 (Young Road) and SR 260. The deceased was identified as 94-year-old William Max Rudd of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the death was investigated as a homicide.

Subsequent investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office led to the identification of 70-year-old Marie Carmen Rudd, the spouse of the deceased, as a suspect in the homicide.

On June 13, 2018, Marie Carmen Rudd was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on the charge of 2nd Degree Murder. She is currently being held on $500,000 cash bond.

No further details are available at this time.

Multi-Agency Response to Rescue Injured Climber in Sycamore Canyon Area

COCONINO COUNTY — On Sunday, June 10th, at 11:00am the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a climbing accident in Sycamore Canyon at the climbing area known as Paradise Forks. The caller stated that a 22-year-old female climber had fallen, was injured, and was in need of rescue. The Sheriff’s Office coordinated the response which included responders from the Sheriff’s Office, the Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, Williams Fire Department, Lifeline Ambulance, Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue, and the US Forest Service.

Search and Rescue arrived at the scene at approximately 1:15pm and established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer over the edge to evaluate the patient and prepare for a rope rescue. The patient was in the bottom of Sycamore Canyon approximately 80 feet below the rim of the canyon. Due to the nature of the injury and complexity of the environment, it was determined that a short haul rescue involving the DPS Air Rescue helicopter would be the best option for the patient.

A search and rescue coordinator who is a member of the Northern Arizona Interagency Heli-Rescue Team rappelled to the patient and assisted the first search and rescue member on scene with splinting the injury and preparing the patient for extrication. At 4:25pm the patient and heli-rescue technician were short-hauled out of the canyon suspended below the helicopter to a landing zone a short distance away where an ambulance was waiting to transport the patient to the hospital. The patient was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where she was admitted for treatment of her injuries.

The fall victim was from the Apache Junction area and was climbing with another person. She appeared to have sustained a serious leg injury.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the public safety organizations that responded to this incident as well as the other climbers in the area who volunteered to assist with care for the injured climber while we were responding.

Phoenix Man Falls to Death at Horseshoe Bend Overlook

PAGE – On May 6, 2018 at approximately 3:30 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend after being notified by the National Park Service that a subject was witnessed by his brother falling off the edge at Horseshoe Bend.

Coconino County Sheriff Deputies responded to Horseshoe Bend after receiving a report that a subject had fallen approximately 800 feet into Glen Canyon. Deputies along with Rangers from the National Park Service confirmed that the subject had fallen and conducted an investigation.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter made its way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers and Sheriff’s Deputies made access from the river side to recover the body. The deceased was short hauled to the top of the rim,

The deceased is Zachary Wallace, a 33-year-old from Phoenix, AZ. He was transported to Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff, AZ. No foul play is suspected at this time.

PHONE SCAM ALERT

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Sheriff’s Office is warning that they are getting new reports of scams like ones that have hit our area in the past.

In the most recent report, The scammer represented himself as a police officer and used the name of one of the staff of the Coconino County Sherif’s office.

The scammer also provided names of local judges and their clerks to make his scam personalized to our judicial system. He spoke of state statutes and court dates and told the caller to go to Target or Walmart to get Smart Cards or Gift Cards to pay the fines. The scammer had spoofed the phone number so that it looked like a real Sheriff’s Office phone number, but provided a different call back number than the official Sheriff’s Office or Court numbers.

Remember: No legitimate court, judge, deputy, or police officer would ever have someone pay fines in this manner. Do not fall victim to these types of scams. Hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office (928-774-4523, extension 1) or Flagstaff Police Department (928-774-1414, option 1) to report suspicious phone calls.

You can also file a complaint with the FCC.

CCSO orders Tinder Fire evacuations for all Communities

BLUE RIDGE –– The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has ordered an evacuation for all Blue Ridge Tinder Fire affected communities north, east and west of Hwy 87 including Moquis Ranchettes, all Starlight Pines, all Clear Creek, all Timber Ranch, all Tamarron, Pine Canyon, Blue Ridge Estates, Ponderossa Pines and Mogollon Ranches.

A reception for evacuated residents at the Winslow Junior High School, 1100 N. Colorado Ave. Winslow, Ariz 86047. Residents are advised to evacuate north on State Hwy 87 as southbound roads are currently closed.

An animal shelter (for large and small animals) is available at Holbrook Navajo County Fairgrounds.

Smoke from the fire may increase as winds pick-up. Coconino County health officials are encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from health effects of wildfire smoke. People with pre-existing conditions should avoid exposure to the smoke as much as possible, and consult their physician if they have questions.

Kaylee found alive and well

WILLIAMS – On April 29th, 2018 at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office located Kaylee Cook. She was located within 1.5 miles from the home she went missing from at 6:00 p.m. on the 28th.

On April 29th, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Kaylee walked out on to a road near the junction of Buckboard and Espee Road and was spotted by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Searching the road in his Patrol Vehicle and 2 residence Devin and Cameron Maebe. A CCSO Deputy and Search and Rescue Trackers responded to the area prior that morning after a tip came in from resident Brandon McDonald. who reported seeing a young Girl matching Kaylee’s description the night before at 7:30 pm.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those involved in the search, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Coconino County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies, Department Of Public Safety Officers, DPS Air Rescue and Civil Air Patrol.

In addition, a special thanks to the community and neighbors for all their efforts and assistance with the Search and rescue efforts.

Coconino County Sheriff Office Searches for Missing 4-year-old girl

WILLIAMS –– On April 28th, 2018 at approximately 6:41pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for Kalyee Cook, a missing 4-year-old girl. Search efforts have continued throughout the night.

On April 28th, at 6:41 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies from the Williams Substation responded to the report of a missing 4-year-old girl, from 7937 N. Perrin, a residence about 8 to 10 miles north of Williams off of Highway 64.

Family Members last saw the Child playing in front of the residence at 6:00 pm and believed she may have wandered off in an unknown direction.

Search efforts are ongoing, units involved include Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Junipine Fire Department and Family Members.

Coconino Sheriff’s Office Responds to Body Below Bridge Near Munds Park

FLAGSTAFF — On April 27 at 12:29 a.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to a bridge along Interstate 17 south of Munds Park where a body had been found deceased. The victim was located approximately 70 feet below the bridge.

A Department of Public Safety Officer conducted a check of a vehicle at that location believing it to be broken down. As he checked the area the Officer observed what he believed to be a body below the bridge.

The Pinewood Fire Department responded to the area and assisted CCSO Search and Rescue in the recovery of the body. The Victim is believed to be out of the Phoenix area. The Case is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Evacuation Warning Lifted for Residents due to the Indian Meadows Fire

VALLE – On April 23rd, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued Evacuation warnings for the Woodland Ranch Area near Valle Arizona due to a quick spreading wild fire.
As of 7:30 p.m., the Evacuation for the Indian Meadows Fire/Lateral Fire was be lifted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. All Residents will be allowed back into their homes.

Current investigation indicates the fire was started by a resident of Woodland Ranch Road who was burning yard trimmings when the fire went out of control. Updated information shows the fire to have burned approximately 100 acres, one unoccupied residential structure, multiple vehicles and several out buildings. This is the second fire this month started by residents burning. The Copley fire in Winona was started by a resident burning. Even if you have a permit to burn, you are still must burn responsibly. If you are burning and fire becomes uncontrollable, call 911 immediately. Do not try to fight it yourself.

Fire and Law enforcement units will continue to work and investigate throughout the night and into the morning. Coconino County Emergency Management along with the American Red Cross have set up a shelter for those displaced from their homes in Williams Arizona at 636 S. 7th Street.