Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Attempt to Identify - Burglary

On November 26 around 4:20am, the suspect shown entered the garage of a home in the 800 block of East Jasmine. The suspect is seen on video removing a kid's "Hot Wheels" BMX bike and a wooden sawhorse in order to get to the dirt bike (seen below). The suspect returned around 4:50am and took the BMX bike as well. The dirt bike is a 2006 Honda CRF45 ATC.

The victim has posted the security videos on YouTube:

Video #1 (skip to 2:22:06 & 2:51:50) https://youtu.be/Q09gFa_IbWI
Video #2 (skip to 1:22-2:14 then 2:39-3:12 and 31:00) https://youtu.be/7d7WCXI4ceU

The suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male, 25-30 years old, around 5'8" tall, 150 lbs. He has short cut hair, tattoos on arms (full sleeve), hands and possibly neck. Was initially wearing a blue/grey sweater, backwards baseball hat, long pants, black shoes with white bottoms and black gloves. When he returned he was wearing a T-shirt, no hat and had a longboard skateboard.

Please submit any information regarding the crime or identity of the suspect(s) through one of the following. You can remain anonymous.
  • Use our online form found here – (https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtipforms/webform.aspx?id=51&AgencyID=836.) Please refer to case number 2017-3300311.  Please fill in the case number in the Case Number field under Incident Information.
  • Text information to 274-637 (CRIMES). Begin your message with MESAPD.
  • Call our non-emergency number at 480-644-2211 and select option 2.




Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Crime Stats - October 2017

The following are the top 5 calls for service and arrests for each patrol district -- 10/01/2017 through 10/31/2017. 

To see which district you are in, click on each individual district listed at left to see their map.
 

FIESTA
CENTRAL
Call TypeFrequencyCall TypeFrequency
Check Welfare456Check Welfare401
Subjects Disturbing420Subjects Disturbing351
Other Agency Assist271Warrant Arrest236
Trespass210Trespass 222
Civil Matter173Other Agency Assist218




ArrestsFrequencyArrestsFrequency
Homicide1Homicide0
Rape1Rape2
Robbery3Robbery4
Aggravated Assault17Aggravated Assault18
Breaking & Entering5Breaking & Entering6
Theft39Theft47
GTA1GTA2
Alcohol/DUI64Alcohol/DUI56
Other Assaults40Other Assaults44
Disorderly Conduct16Disorderly Conduct33
Drugs86Drugs91
Fiscal/Forgery7Fiscal/Forgery21
Loitering/Runaway9Loitering/Runaway7
Sex Offenses1Sex Offenses2
Vandalism21Vandalism21
All Other
191
All Other257
TOTAL502TOTAL611




RED MOUNTAIN
SUPERSTITION
Call TypeFrequencyCall TypeFrequency
Check Welfare391Check Welfare388
Subjects Disturbing326Subjects Disturbing247
Burglary Alarm220Other Agency Assist228
Other Agency Assist209Burglary Alarm221
Civil Matter177Civil Matter166




ArrestsFrequencyArrestsFrequency
Homicide1Homicide1
Rape1Rape0
Robbery0Robbery2
Aggravated Assault13Aggravated Assault10
Breaking & Entering5Breaking & Entering3
Theft39Theft68
GTA1GTA2
Alcohol/DUI44Alcohol/DUI30
Other Assaults29Other Assaults23
Disorderly Conduct34Disorderly Conduct41
Drugs55Drugs6
Fiscal/Forgery11Fiscal/Forgery0
Loitering/Runaway3Loitering/Runaway0
Sex Offenses1Sex Offenses0
Vandalism18 Vandalism7
All Other125 All Other100
TOTAL380TOTAL313

STOLEN BACKFLOW VALVES 101. WE NEED YOUR HELP!



Mesa and surrounding jurisdictions have seen an alarming increase in the number of Backflow Valve Thefts hitting the Valley. This crime is costly and inconvenient for our citizens. We need your help to put an end to this trend!


What exactly is a backflow valve?
  • A backflow valve (assembly) prevents water that has become polluted or contaminated by contact with the environment, from reversing direction and flowing backward into a customer's potable water plumbing or in the municipal water distribution system.  Landscape irrigation systems, swimming pool auto fill lines, or plumbing connection equipment and appliances are examples of water applications that can compromise the public water system if appropriate protection is not in place.


How does it affect ME when a backflow valve is stolen?
·         Costs to replace stolen backflow assemblies will invariably be passed on to customers.
  • This includes additional costs relating to property damage to cages, plumbing, pads, and the landscaping associated with a backflow assembly.
  • Disruption of water service to critical care facilities, nursing homes, restaurants, grocery stores, apartment complexes, etc.
  • The integrity of the public water distribution system and public health may be compromised when a backflow assembly is removed and the water system piping is opened to the environment. 

It’s just metal--how much could they really cost to replace?
  • A lot! Prices for a new backflow assembly vary significantly depending on its size and type.  Typical prices may range between $100-$800 dollars just for the assembly.  With labor, fittings, pipe, and repairs to damaged cages and pads, the re installation of a stolen assembly may be between $1000-$3000!


Is there anything I can do to assist with this problem?
·         YES! You are our first line of defense. You are the eyes and ears that will notice the theft! Be on the lookout for suspicious activity in your area. Thieves often target apartment complexes, restaurants, community pools, retention basins, HOAS, churches, hospitals, car dealerships and gas stations.
·         Call 911 immediately if you see suspicious activity occurring near a backflow assembly or metal piping.
  • Record license plate numbers of vehicles where individuals are observed removing a backflow assembly. A location, vehicle make, model and color, and suspect description are very helpful. Do you notice more than one suspect present? Make sure to let the Police know of everything you see.
  • Be advised that backflow assemblies are permanent fixtures.  The only time a backflow assembly may be removed is if another is installed in its place. 
  • Most companies that specialize in backflow service will display their company logo on their vehicle.  Unmarked vehicles associated with activity around a backflow assembly should be suspect.

I have information and want to help! How can I submit tips?
There are many methods to report information on subjects who have stolen or may be stealing backflow valves—please choose the one that you are most comfortable with:

1.       If it’s an in-progress event, contact 911 immediately!
2.       If you have delayed information, contact the Mesa Police Department non-emergency line at (480) 644-2211.
3.       Submit an anonymous tip online by clicking on the following link:
4.       Text an anonymous tip to:
CRIMES (274-637) and use the Keyword: MesaPD
5.       Citizens can also submit anonymous crime tips via iPhone and Android by using the TipSubmit app. This app allows you to:
·         Submit photos and video
·         Submit written tips with unlimited messaging length
·         Remain fully anonymous with two-way dialogue, including virtual chat mode, when both parties are online
·         Auto-locate the nearest agency

TipSubmit is available in the Android Market or the Apple App Store.


Thank you for your help! Working together, we can put an end to this costly crime that is horribly inconvenient for our citizens!

A special thank you to Kathy Macdonald, Robert Judd and Mike Cable of the City of Mesa Water Resources Department for contributing photographs and information for this article.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Arrest Made in 2016 Abandoned Baby Case

On 03/08/16 Mesa Police responded to a call near 9th Place and Alma School reference an abandoned baby. The baby was found in a car seat carrier and was thought to be 2-3 hours old. She was transported to a hospital where doctors reported she was diagnosed with hypoglycemia and hypothermia. The baby has since recovered and is doing well. Extensive canvassing of the area at the time yielded no investigative leads. Blood was recovered from the car seat carrier and tested for DNA. The investigation went cold until a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) hit was reported. The CODIS hit identified the defendant as 24 year old Maricela Perez.

Maricela had an active warrant from Pima County and Officers were able to locate her at an address in Mesa where she was taken into custody for the warrant. In a post arrest interview, Maricela admitted to giving birth to the baby girl in her bathtub on 3/08/2016. She said she placed the baby in a car seat carrier and drove her towards the 9th Place area heading towards the fire station. She said she knew the fire station offers a Safe Baby Haven but she was concerned about being asked questions about the new baby and the fact the baby might have Meth in her system. She said she left the baby in front of a house with it lights off so no one would see her and then returned to her apartment. Maricela said she knew what she did was wrong and has been booked and charged with one count of ARS 13-3623A1 Child Abuse, and one count of ARS 13-1201A Endangerment.


Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Help Identify An Assault/Burglary Suspect


On Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at about 1:30 AM, Mesa Police received a 911 call from a woman reporting an intruder in her apartment at 2121 W. Main St. in Mesa.  The victim, a 33-year-old female, reported she was in her third-floor apartment watching television, when she heard her patio glass slider open.  She observed an unknown African-American male entering her apartment without permission.  The male asked her if anyone else was in the apartment and told her to remain quiet.  As the suspect checked the bedroom for anyone else, the victim ran out onto the patio area, and began to yell for help.  The suspect attempted to pull the victim back inside the apartment and told her to be quiet.  As the victim continued to yell for help, the suspect ran out through the victim’s front door and fled on foot.
Suspect description:
African-American male in his mid-20’s approximately 5’11” tall and 150 lbs.  He was last seen wearing a charcoal grey shirt and light color shorts with shoulder length braided hair pulled back in a hair tie.  See attached composite drawing: 

If you recognize this female suspect, please contact the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.