Operation Summer Project 2021- Mid-Point Recap

We are 5 weeks into Operation Summer Project 2021 (OSP 2021), which was our initiative to combat violent crime as it was predicated to increase nationally. Using criminal intelligence provided by crime analysts, new target areas were selected every week with officers saturating the area to conduct proactive criminal investigations. OSP 2021 began the week of June 30, 2021.

As of July 31, 2021, officers have made 1102 traffic stops and 360 arrests (185 felony and 175 misdemeanor). Thirty-three firearms have been seized and 21 search warrants have been served. An impressive number of illegal drugs were removed from Mesa streets to include 1417.3g Methamphetamine, 340g Marijuana, 77.2g Cocaine, 34g Heroin, and 2,569 Fentanyl pills. 

Some significant arrests were made during the last five weeks and some highlights are as follows: 

Officers arrested 27-year-old Darvina Lee for Aggravated Assault-DV after she stabbed her boyfriend in the face. She is being held on $100,000 bond. 

20-year-old Carlos Perez Camacho (left) and 21-year-old Emmanuel Flores (right) were arrested for numerous drug charges, including sales. Officers seized 500 Fentanyl pills and 42g of Methamphetamine. They are being held on $100,000 cash bonds.

Officers arrested 34-year-old Timothy Robertson on a warrant for 2cts Sexual Conduct with a Minor. Bond is $100,050.

40-year-old Mike Dennee was taken into custody for possession of 2lbs of Methamphetamine for sale and possession of an AR-15 rifle by a prohibited possessor, amongst other drug and weapons charges.

Officers arrested 37-year-old Arnulfo Sarabia on a Grand Jury warrant where he held a gun to the victim’s head and robbed him of his belongings and vehicle. Bond is set at $30,000. 

21-year-old Joshua Mena was taken into custody for multiple residential burglaries where he would steal firearms. He is being held without bond.

Officers arrested probation absconder, 47-year-old Adam Nicolia. He had a warrant for child fondling with a bond of $1,000,000.  

27-year-old Brent Lourus stole items from Home Depot and then pulled a knife on loss prevention, threatening to stab them. He was located during OSP 2021 and arrested. Bond is $7500. 

Officers arrested 39-year-old David Armando for a child molestation warrant. Bond is $1,000,000. 

26-year-old Dane Smith was taken into custody after firing multiple rounds from a handgun at officers initiating a traffic stop. Bond is $200,500. 

As you can see, in just five weeks, our officers made substantial headway to combat violent crime in Mesa. Operation Summer Project 2021 has shown that this initiative is working. We will continue to strategically target high crime area to successfully reduce violence amongst our community. We look forward to providing further statistics as the project moves forward.