Mesa PD Takes Action Against School Threats

Over the last week, Mesa police officers have responded to and investigated several threats of violence toward schools in the city of Mesa. Threats have been made verbally and through social media. Our community has come together to combat these threats and have included officers in the discovery of such threats, following the “Report, Don’t Repost” campaign, started by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Thank you!

Because of you, Mesa police officers identified six juveniles suspected of threatening violence in a school organization. The cases were not related; however, every case involved threats of school violence. The Mesa Police Department in collaboration with the head of security for Mesa, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Public Schools investigate all threats thoroughly.

“Our top priority at Mesa Public Schools is to provide a safe and caring learning environment for our students and staff,” stated the Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, Dr. Andi Fourlis. “The recent trend of social media threats and rumors have been very disruptive to our schools, causing heightened fear and anxiety among our students and their families. We take every threat seriously and are grateful for our partnership with the Mesa Police Department.”

Members of the Mesa Police Department’s Intelligence & Counterterrorism Unit along with the Criminal Investigations Unit are also heavily involved in the discovery of new threats and promptly investigate their credibility.

“While the Mesa Police Department does not believe any of the already circulating social media threats are credible, we do take every threat seriously. It is not okay to threaten violence, it is against the law. Those who chose to violate this law may face criminal prosecution.” Ed Wessing, Assistant Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department.

On September 12, 2024, three students came forward to report hearing another student at Eastmark High School say that they were going to shoot up the school. The 17-year-old suspect will be facing charges of threatening and intimidating.  

On September 13, 2024, three more students from Eastmark High School reported hearing another student threaten to shoot up Eastmark High School and their previous school. The 13-year-old student was referred to Juvenile Court for two counts of threatening and intimidating (one for each school.)

Also on September 13, 2024, two students from Mountain View High School reported that another student threatened to shoot up the school. The 15-year-old suspect was referred to Juvenile Court for one count of threatening and intimidating.

On September 16, 2024, Bush Elementary School received a suspicious call from a young man reporting a shooter on school grounds. Responding officers confirmed there was no shooter. The 11-year-old caller was identified and contacted. He now faces charges of false reporting of terrorism and interfering with an educational institution.

On September 17, 2024, two students from Stapley Junior High reported a social media threat showing names of other students from their school in a post titled “The List.” Officers learned that the list was made in March 2024 by a 13-year-old student who was charged with disruption of an educational facility at that time. Charges are pending for threatening and intimidating currently.  

On September 19, 2024, officers became aware of a new list of names circling within Stapley Junior High. Officers have identified a suspect and are actively working this case. 

Every high school in the Mesa Public School district is secured with weapon detection devices and two school resource officers. Every Junior High is also staffed with a school resource officer. In addition, patrol officers with the Mesa Police Department have adopted schools in their respective districts and have randomly been stopping by to walk the campuses and provide extra security for students and staff members.

Remember, if you see something, say something. Call the Mesa Police Department’s non-emergency line at 480-644-2211 or 911 in case of emergency. An anonymous tip line can also be used, provided by Mesa Public Schools, at 480-472-7867.

Westwood High School Weapon Detection Device at entrance
Mesa PD SRO Coran and MPS Security Officer Robin Beach

Mesa Police Officers Seize Illicit Fentanyl- valued at $1.2Million

On July 4, 2024, just before 10:30am, Mesa police officers responded to a welfare check in the parking lot of 645 W. Rio Salado Parkway. The caller stated three people were in a gold Cadillac and the driver appeared to be unconscious and slumped over. 

Officers pulled up to the Cadillac and as they began walking toward the car, the driver, 26-year-old Gabriel Rodriguez, immediately opened the door and ran away. Two officers ran after him and one officer stayed with the vehicle, which was occupied by 38-year-old Julian Reyes and 24-year-old Sunflower Short. The officer could see small blue pills scattered throughout the car in addition to a partially opened duffel bag containing several medium sized packages wrapped in packing tape.

Rodriguez was later apprehended and transported to the hospital after cutting his arm on razor wire while trying to flee.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers located 58 packaged bundles (over 200lbs) and two to three smaller opened bundles inside the vehicle. The packages contained approximately 750,000 M30 blue pills of illicit fentanyl, street valued at $1.2 million.

Reyes and Short were booked into jail for Possession of Narcotic Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia, while Rodrigez remains in the hospital but is facing charges of Possession and Transport of Narcotic Drugs for Sale and Possession of Narcotic Drugs when he is discharged.

Blue pills in vehicle

Package bundles

$1.2 million illicit fentanyl pills

 

Julian Reyes Mug Shot

Sunflower Short Mug Shot

                                              

Mesa Police Seize 95 Pallets of Illegal Fireworks

Firework tents and sale locations for fireworks seem to be everywhere you turn. And while some businesses are only sticking to legal fireworks for sale in Arizona, some are not. The Mesa Police Department began its Fireworks Enforcement Operation on June 24, 2024. Within that week, Mesa police officers along with Mesa Fire Inspectors began to inspect firework sale locations and proactively investigate illegal firework sales. 

On June 27, 2024, officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for making a wide right turn and saw illegal fireworks in the open truck bed as they approached. The driver was identified as 18-year-old Wilbur Rabago. Rabago admitted to having the fireworks for sale and hoped to sell them for $1,000. He was booked into jail for violating Mesa City Code 6-21.2A Prohibited Fireworks and 7-2-2 Prohibited Fireworks for Sale, both misdemeanors.

Wilbur Rabago

Illegal Fireworks

This same day, June 27, 2024, officers contacted a subject selling illegal aerial fireworks, which were housed at a location in Chandler, AZ. A search warrant was granted, allowing officers to enter the storage containers believed to have the fireworks inside. Officers found nine shipping containers, forty feet in length, containing 2,147 boxes of illegal fireworks. The fireworks were stacked on 95 pallets and took four semi-truck loads to move and are estimated at over $1,000,000. 

Boxes of Illegal Fireworks

Officers identified the operator of the firework business and charges are pending as the investigation continues. 

The 4^th of July should be a fun day of celebration, just do so safely and lawfully. The Mesa Police Department will have a dedicated team of officers available during the holiday to strictly enforce firework laws. The agency has also created a new link to report illegal firework activity online with the choice of remaining anonymous. The person submitting the request can send photos and/ or videos and the information will come to officers currently working in the community. This email box will be monitored all hours of the day and night through July 6, 2024, allowing citizens to report illegal fireworks in real time. Just visit mesaaz.gov, click “Residents,” then under “Police” click “Report Fireworks.” 

Citizens can also report illegal firework activity by calling the Mesa Police Department non-emergency number at 480-644-2211, emailing FIREWORKS@mesaaz.gov, or calling 911 in case of emergency.

As a reminder, some fireworks in Arizona are illegal. For information about which fireworks, please visit https://fire.mesaaz.gov/community-outreach/fireworks

Mesa Police Continuously Working to Enhancing Trust

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, has an initiative called the Trust Building Campaign. Law enforcement agencies everywhere are encouraged to participate in the campaign. To join the Trust Building Campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge to implement 25 key policies and leading practices within a 36-month period. The Mesa Police Department is pleased to announce that prior to even learning about the IACP’s initiative, the department had already completed all 25 key policies and leading practices as part of our ongoing commitment to the community we serve.

"Joining the Trust Building Campaign was a clear choice for us at the Mesa Police Department,” says Chief Ken Cost. “By standing behind this pledge, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and open communication, which are essential to building and maintaining the public's trust.”

By proactively completing the Trust Building Campaign Pledge requirements, the Mesa Police Department established policies and trainings, conducted assessments, and developed strategies within six focus areas (Bias-Free Policing; Use of Force; Leadership and Culture; Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention; Victim Services; and Community Relations) designed to encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe, effective interactions, create strategies to prevent and reduce crime, and improve the wellbeing and quality of life for all.

For more information about the Trust Building Campaign, visit the IACP’s website at:

https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign

Las Sendas Food Truck Friday's

Two Arrested for Arson, Class 2 Felony

On June 13, 2024, around 9:30 PM, officers responded to a “shots fired” call. The caller reported receiving an alert from his front door camera about someone outside. As he approached the door, he heard BANG! The glass of his front door shattered right in front of him, scathing his forehead, and extensive damage to the front of the home remained.

Front Entryway Damage

Overhead Entryway Damage

Front Door Damage

Officers learned that what they originally thought was a gunshot, was actually a firework. It was thrown against the house by suspects who fled the area.

Using neighborhood surveillance videos, in conjunction with police databases, officers were able to identify and arrest Daniel J. Traynor, age 18, and Eliyzar R. Frias, age 19.

Both were booked into jail on June 19, 2024 for the following charges:

· Arson of an Occupied Structure, Class 2 Felony

· Aggravated Assault, Class 3 Felony

· Criminal Damage, Class 6 Felony

Daniel Traynor

Eliyzar Frias

Fireworks can be fun and we want everyone to enjoy the upcoming holiday, safely! Mesa police officers will be out and about enforcing firework laws and arresting anyone who violates them. 

For more information on when fireworks can be used, which fireworks are legal, and how to report illegal firework activity, click HERE

3 Men Arrested for Illegal Fireworks for Sale

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, Mesa police officers are getting in front of illegal firework possession and sales. Just yesterday, on June 8, 2024, officers pulled over a vehicle with a suspended license plate. While speaking to the driver, 22-year-old Nicholas Ruiz, and passenger, 47-year-old Carlos Barron, officers saw boxes of illegal fireworks in the vehicle.

Illegal Fireworks

Illegal Fireworks

Officers learned that Ruiz bought the fireworks in New Mexico and he and Barron had hopes of selling them for profit in Mesa. Officers seized over 50 suspected high explosive devices and booked both men into jail for possession of illegal fireworks and illegal fireworks for sale.

Nicholas Ruiz

Carlos Barron

Just hours after the first stop, Mesa police officers stopped another vehicle for displaying plates not valid for highway use. Officers saw boxes of illegal fireworks in the bed of the truck.

Illegal Fireworks

Illegal Fireworks

While speaking to the driver, 27-year-old Ivan Mejia, officers learned that he bought the fireworks in Nevada and was selling them to people through on line resources. Officers seized over 20 suspected high explosive devices and booked Mejia into jail for possession of illegal fireworks and illegal fireworks for sale.

Ivan Mejia

Fireworks can be fun and we want everyone to enjoy the upcoming holiday, safely! Mesa police officers will be out and about enforcing firework laws and arresting anyone who violates them. 

For more information on when fireworks can be used, which fireworks are legal, and how to report illegal firework activity, click HERE

Criminal Damage Suspect Arrested

Business owners and employees in downtown Mesa were stunned the morning of May 17, 2024, when they arrived to find their glass windows broken. Eight businesses all experienced the same fate as a man walked the street throwing large rocks through their windows as he passed. Luckily for police, the man was caught on surveillance video and several officers identified him quickly as 38-year-old, Brian Galvez.

Although not every act of criminal damage was caught on video, officers were able to use video evidence from the downtown area to put together Galvez’s path of destruction, which left over $9,500 worth of damage to the following businesses:

il Vinaio

Meat Market Vintage Goods

Department of Child Services

Milano Music Center

Walston Law Group

Mesa Public Library

Hello Sugar

The Azura Veterans Coalition

Meat Market Vintage Goods

The Azura Veterans Coalition

Evidence photo

Rock used to break window

Galvez was located on May 20, 2024, near Country Club Dr and Main St as investigators were obtaining more video evidence from il Vinaio and saw him sitting in the corner of the store. He was arrested and booked into jail for eight counts of criminal damage, seven of those being a felony because the damage was over $1,000. Galvez is currently being held on a $10,000 bond.

If you are a business owner or employee of an establishment in the downtown area and had window damage during the late hours of May 16, 2024, into the early morning hours of May 17, 2024, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 to report the incident, it is not too late. 

Brian Galvez Mug Shot

Mesa PD Needs Help Identifying Attempted Sexual Assault Suspect

 

News Release

The Mesa Police Department is investigating an attempted sexual assault of a minor that occurred over the weekend and is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. 

 

On February 3, 2024, just before 9:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to an apartment in the 300 block of N. 75th Street for an attempted sexual assault on a minor. The suspect had already left the area on foot and officers were unable to locate him. He is being described as a black male between the ages of 25–40 years old, standing 5ft 10in tall with a medium build. The suspect has a goatee style beard that is longer and thicker on the chin and dark spiky hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie with a white logo and dark pants. 

Composite Sketch of Suspect

 

The Mesa Police Department in conjunction with the Mesa Crime Lab have been working diligently on this case since Saturday night, canvassing the neighborhood and expediting forensic evidence, hoping for a break in the case. 

 

We need your help. If you have any information or think you may know who the suspect is, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644–2211. 

 

To our community, remember to lock all doors and windows. Turn on your residential outdoor lights. Stay vigilant, and if you see anything suspicious, call 911. 

 

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Carjacking Suspects Arrested

What should have been a simple transaction turned into much more for a mother and her seven-year-old daughter on a Wednesday afternoon in Mesa. After listing her car for sale on OfferUp, she met with a potential buyer at Wells Fargo Bank, located near Stapley and McKellips. While speaking to the buyer about the vehicle and sale price, she came face to face with a career criminal who pointed a gun at her and demanded she give him the vehicle.

The woman ran with her daughter, trying to escape what she thought was going to be the end of her life. Her daughter fell in the parking lot, scraping her knee in the process. Finally, they gained safety in the Wells Fargo Bank, just as the red 2021 Dodge Charger drove out of the parking lot with the gunman and potential buyer in the car.

Stolen Vehicle

The woman told Mesa police officers she had never seen the gunman or buyer before today, but did have the phone number that was used to inquire about the vehicle. The phone number belonged to 29-year-old Joseph Toledo. Officers obtained a location for the phone and responded to Banner Deer Valley Hospital, where they found the stolen vehicle unoccupied.

Using police databases, officers identified several addresses that Joseph Toledo might frequent throughout Phoenix. While stopping by each one, Toledo was eventually located traveling as a passenger in a vehicle. The Phoenix Police Department’s air support team assisted in following Toledo to the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry, where they finally found Toledo… checking in with his Parole Officer.

And the potential buyer from earlier? Officers found her in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked outside and waiting for Toledo. She was identified as 23-year-old Iridiane Garcia. Garcia told officers the keys to the stolen vehicle were in her purse, right along with the gun Toledo used against the victim.

Both Toledo and Garcia were booked into jail for multiple felony charges to include Armed Robbery and Theft of Means of Transportation.

Iridiane Garcia

Joseph Toledo

ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT SUSPECT ARRESTED: Responsible for nearly $2 million loss at Home Depot

Mesa police officers arrested 39-year-old Juan Ambriz-Rincon after he spent more than a year stealing from The Home Depot stores across the valley and creating a total loss of no less than $46,000 just in Arizona. Ambriz-Rincon is also the suspect in Organized Retail Thefts in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where The Home Depot investigators have documented more than $900,000 worth of product loss, with an estimation closer to $2,000,000 over the last three years.

With the help of The Home Depot investigators, video evidence, and transaction receipts, officers were able to positively identify Ambriz-Rincon in 14 different thefts from the retail store between October 10, 2022- October 16, 2023. The thefts occurred through Mesa, Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, and Avondale.

Utilizing the self-checkout option, Ambriz-Rincon paid for a few items in his possession but failed to pay for the high dollar items in his cart. He would then return the stolen items for money or sell them to customers through social media in various states. Ambriz-Rincon also thwarted employees by presenting fake receipts at check out and telling them the items were already paid for before walking out with the stolen merchandise.

In one incident, Ambriz-Rincon was stopped by Asset Protection just outside The Home Depot. He had presented an invalid will call order at the register. The store was able to recover 20 units of unpaid shingles, but Ambriz-Rincon fled the scene before police arrived.

Officers were able to obtain search warrants for Ambriz-Rincon’s vehicles, storage units, and motel room, leading them to recover additional stolen items and further evidence of his crimes.

“Organized Retail Crime continues to impact The Home Depot. Public and private collaboration like our investigators have with The Mesa Police Department are a key component of combating these crimes. We appreciate Mesa PD’s partnership in helping keep our customers and employees safe.” -Sean Browne, Sr Manager, Organized Retail Crime at The Home Depot.

Juan Ambriz-Rincon was booked into jail for the following charges:

ARS 13-2310- Fraudulent Schemes, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-2307B- Trafficking Stolen Property, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-1802A1 (14 counts)- Theft over $25,000, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-1819A1 (14 counts)- Organized Retail Theft, a class 4 felony

ARS 13-3407A1- Possession of Dangerous Drugs, a class 4 felony

Juan Ambriz-Rincon