Media Release - Reward Offered for Information on Gun Shop Burglary

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Mesa Police Department are announcing a reward of up to $5000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of firearms from Black Rock Arms, a federally licensed gun dealer, located at 2653 West Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona.

On December 14, 2016, at approximately 11:30pm, a burglary occurred at the gun store and 23 firearms were stolen. Unknown male suspect(s) gained entry into the gun store by cutting through a common wall from the vacant adjoining business.

The Mesa Police and ATF are soliciting the public’s help to come forward with any information that will help investigators identify and arrest the gun thieves. Thomas Atteberry, ATF Special Agent in Charge, stated, "Anyone with information concerning this theft of guns are encouraged to call the Mesa Police Department. The last thing we need during the holidays are additional crime guns fueling criminal violence on our streets."

This joint investigation is being conducted by the Mesa Police Department and ATF. Anyone having information about the theft or the suspects should call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-Witness.

U.S. MARSHALS "OPERATION GRINCH STOPPER 2016" RESULTS IN 157 ARRESTS STATE-WIDE

U.S. Marshals Service
David P. Gonzales, United States Marshal
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2016

Contact: Amelia Swenhaugen, Deputy U.S. Marshal
District of Arizona - Phoenix
602-828-8349

Phoenix, Ariz.- From December 13th-15th, the U.S. Marshals Service in Arizona, along with partnering state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, conducted “Operation Grinch Stopper 2016.” The operation focused on fugitives wanted for outstanding arrest warrants for crimes to include robbery, burglary, theft, larceny and drugs and resulted in the arrest of 157 fugitives statewide.

Operation Grinch Stopper was created in response to the November 18, 2012 incident involving a Tucson Police Sergeant who was shot during a response to a burglary alarm. Fortunately, despite his injuries he survived the ordeal. This tragedy inspired the U.S. Marshals in Arizona to focus on apprehending individuals wanted for property crimes, which are known to increase during the holiday season.

“The Holiday and Christmas Season can be a wonderful time of the year, but it can also be very dangerous. There is a noticeable spike in crime during the holidays because people are more vulnerable to theft, burglary and robbery by criminals taking advantage of an opportunity to commit crime,” said David Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona. “The U.S. Marshals Service’s annual Operation Grinch Stopper is focused on targeting fugitives who seek to ruin the holiday spirit."

Since its creation in 2012, Operation Grinch Stopper has been very successful in identifying, locating and arresting subjects wanted for property crimes. This operation also focuses on fugitives who have a lengthy criminal history and are wanted for other violent offenses that could impact the community during the holiday season.

“We are excited to partner with the U.S. Marshals to help bring in these subjects who victimize our community,” said Chief Rick St. John of Glendale Police Department. “Operation Grinch Stopper has helped, and will continue to help the citizens in our community not be victimized during this holiday season.”

Now in its fifth year, Operation Grinch Stopper continues to be a success, netting 157 arrests in Arizona and clearing 178 warrants. During their investigation, officers also arrested 18 assault suspects, 6 sex offenders and 3 suspects wanted for Homicide.

Those apprehended during the enforcement operation included the following:

• Adrianna Christian Figueroa, 28, of Douglas, Arizona was booked into the Pima County Jail after surrendering herself to authorities. An arrest warrant for Figueroa was issued for her alleged involvement in a home invasion. Figueroa also faces a charge of 1st degree burglary, nine counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, three counts of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping. With Deputies and Task Force Officers actively pursuing leads generated from information developed during Grinch Stopper, the surmounting pressure persuaded Figueroa to self-surrender without incident.

• Jacob Arledge, 29, was arrested in the area of Knox Rd. and Arizona Ave. in Chandler. Arledge was wanted on a Probation Violation stemming from Theft charges. During the contact police found a loaded Ruger .22 caliber with a suppressor. After a search of the residence was conducted several items were seized to include a Ruger .22 caliber handgun with the suppressor, a Glock pistol, an AR-15, a Bullpup-style assault rifle, body armor, numerous rounds of ammunition, a stolen trailer, $20,000 in stolen tools, drug paraphernalia, stolen credit cards, and a small amount of drugs.

• Luis Salgado-Reyes, 21, was arrested in the area of Gilbert Rd. and McKellips Rd. in Mesa. It is alleged that Salgado was part of a string of armed robberies that occurred throughout the Phoenix Metro Valley from December 1st through December 13th in Mesa, Phoenix, and Tolleson. During this crime spree a knife was used to threaten and intimidate victims. Information was developed linking the robberies to Salgado and he was apprehended without incident during Operation Grinch Stopper 2016.

“The cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies in the valley is astounding,” said Chief Jeri Williams of the Phoenix Police Department. “When every agency, whether city, county, state, or federal, is committed to working together to locate and arrest criminal offenders, we all enjoy safer communities.”

“I am very proud that the Mesa Police Department was able to participate in Operation Grinch Stopper 2016,” said Chief John Meza of the Mesa Police Department. “Every year thefts and burglaries around the holiday season have a detrimental effect on families in the community. We see the stories of homes and businesses broken into leaving families struggling to get through the season. With the collaborative efforts of multiple Law Enforcement agencies, we are able to make a notable impact on these criminals and make the valley a safer place.”

“Operation Grinch Stopper has once again proved to be a model public safety operation aimed at taking criminals who prey on law abiding citizens off the streets,” stated Chief John Lekan of the Yuma Police Department. “Simply put, Operation Grinch Stopper makes Yuma and other involved communities a safer place to enjoy the holiday season. The Yuma Police Department is proud to have worked hand-in-hand with the U.S. Marshals Service during this operation.”

"Property crimes are an issue in every community and one that we are very sensitive to here in Tucson,” said Chief Chris Magnus of the Tucson Police Department. “These crimes have the potential to negatively impact our community members during a time when many are at their most vulnerable. As Chief, I am very appreciative of the additional enforcement support from our other law enforcement partners, particularly the efforts of the United States Marshals Service through Operation Grinch Stopper, in combating these types of crimes and helping to improve the quality of life for our community members."

The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined. For more information on USMS Fifteen Most Wanted fugitives and USMS Major Cases, go to www.usmarshals.gov.

Crime Stats - November

The following are the top 5 calls for service and arrests for each patrol district -- 11/01/2016 through 11/30/2016.  To see which district you are in, click on each individual district listed at left to see their map.   FIESTA CENTRAL Call Type Frequency Call Type Frequency Check Welfare 442 Subjects Disturbing 357 Subjects Disturbing 356 Check Welfare 346 Other Agency Assist 228 Other Agency Assist 206 Loud Music/Noise 209 Trespass 164 Civil Matter 165 Warrant Arrest 163 Arrests Frequency Arrests Frequency Homicide 1 Homicide 0 Rape 0 Rape 0 Robbery 5 Robbery 2 Aggravated Assault 12 Aggravated Assault 11 Breaking & Entering 6 Breaking & Entering 7 Theft 42 Theft 60 GTA 0 GTA 2 Alcohol/DUI 74 Alcohol/DUI 54 Other Assaults 56 Other Assaults 46 Disorderly Conduct 37 Disorderly Conduct 31 Drugs 108 Drugs 93 Fiscal/Forgery 12 Fiscal/Forgery 7 Loitering/Runaway 6 Loitering/Runaway 0 Sex Offenses 1 Sex Offenses 3 Vandalism 12 Vandalism 13 All Other 180 All Other 238 TOTAL 552 TOTAL 567 RED MOUNTAIN SUPERSTITION Call Type Frequency Call Type Frequency Check Welfare 393 Check Welfare 369 Subjects Disturbing 319 Subjects Disturbing 283 Burglary Alarm 198 Other Agency Assist 211 Other Agency Assist 173 Burglary Alarm 197 Suspicious Activity 169 Suspicious Activity 157 Arrests Frequency Arrests Frequency Homicide 0 Homicide 0 Rape 0 Rape 0 Robbery 0 Robbery 1 Aggravated Assault 8 Aggravated Assault 9 Breaking & Entering 8 Breaking & Entering 7 Theft 69 Theft 64 GTA 4 GTA 0 Alcohol/DUI 44 Alcohol/DUI 35 Other Assaults 20 Other Assaults 19 Disorderly Conduct 23 Disorderly Conduct 5 Drugs 59 Drugs 35 Fiscal/Forgery 6 Fiscal/Forgery 6 Loitering/Runaway 5 Loitering/Runaway 3 Sex Offenses 3 Sex Offenses 1 Vandalism 17 Vandalism 12 All Other 100 All Other 08 TOTAL 366 TOTAL 277

Theft of Christmas Decorations

On December 6, 2016 at 1:54 am, inflatable Christmas decorations were stolen from two locations in the 11000 - 11100 block of East Quintana Avenue. The theft was captured on the private security video from one of the victims. The vehicle involved is seen driving slowly through the area with its lights off and stops in front of one of the victim's residence. The driver is seen removing the decorations from the front yard. No other occupants exit the vehicle. The items stolen were a 10' -11' tall dog in a Santa outfit and one in the shape of an outhouse with a Santa peeking out the door. If you have any information, please call Mesa Police at 480-644-2211, and choose option 2 from the menu. Refer to report numbers 20163390530 and 20163390582.

Media Release - Child Prostitution Arrests

Mesa Police detectives completed another operation targeting sexual predators trying to engage in sex acts with underage juveniles. Operation Home Schooled utilized undercover detectives posing as 13- and 14-year-old juveniles and traffickers chatting on commonly used internet sites where suspects seek out illegal sex acts. The suspects solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts with the minor and were arrested when they responded to the location where they were supposed to meet the minor for sex.

Each year the Mesa Police Department conducts operations of this type in a continuous effort to remove these predators from our community. Suspects willing to solicit sex acts with children are some of the most dangerous criminals in our society. The suspects in the latest operation ranged in age from 23 to 66 years old.


Theodore Finkbeiner, 66
Bouse, Arizona
Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Class 3 Felony

James M Lanta, 54
Gilbert, Arizona
Sex Trafficking, Class 2 Felony
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony

Kelly T Davis, 52
Mesa, Arizona
Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Class 3 Felony
Furnishing Harmful Items to a Minor, Class 4 Felony

Jason M Garcia, 50
Mesa, Arizona
Sex Trafficking, Class 2 Felony
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony

Anthony Kueneman, 41
Gilbert, Arizona
Sex Trafficking, Class 2 Felony
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony
Failure to Have Sex Offender ID, Class 6 Felony

Faisal El Samaryi, 41
Mesa, Rziona
Sex Trafficking, Class 2 Felony
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony

Cam R. Chambers, 39
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sex Trafficking, Class 2 Felony
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony

Kyle J. Pierce, 26
Mesa, Arizona
Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Class 3 Felony
Luring a Minor for Sex, Class 3 Felony

Logan Duran, 23
Gilbert, Arizona
Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Class 3 Felony
Furnishing Harmful Items to a Minor, Class 4 Felony

Timothy W. Eastman, 45
Avondale, Arizona
Child Prostitution, Class 2 Felony
Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Class 3 Felony

This operation was a collaborative effort between the Mesa Police Department and Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). We also want to recognize the Hickey Family Foundation, AZ Men, and our local business partners:  Empire Southwest and the Treehouse Group, for their invaluable support of this initiative. For more information about human exploitation and trafficking, please visit http://mesaaz.gov/residents/police/departments-divisions/mesa-family-advocacy-center/heat

Suspects arrested during Operation Home Schooled

Armed Robbery - Attempt to Identify

**  UPDATE:  SUSPECT WAS IDENTIFIED AND ARRESTED ON DECEMBER 13. **

On December 1, 2016 at 9:51am, the pictured suspect entered the Econolodge Inn & Suites at 951 W. Main Street, displayed a knife, jumped the counter and demanded money from the desk clerk. The suspect was given a known amount of U.S. currency; he then fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male, 20-30 years old, 5'07"-5'08" tall, 150-165 lbs., black hair.  He was wearing a white Halloween-style ask with blood imprinted on the mask, a blue surgical glove on his right hand, a dark colored long-sleeved zip-up jacket, dark colored pants and black & white Converse shoes.

Please submit any information regarding the crime or identity of the suspect through one of the following. You can remain anonymous.

• Use our online form found here. Please fill in the case number in the Case Number field under Incident Information. CASE NUMBER 20163360233, or
• Text information to 274-637 (CRIMES). Begin your message with MESAPD, or
• Call our non-emergency number at 480-644-2211 and select option 2 at the menu.

Burglary Arrest

 Marc Esparza

On November 27 at 1:53am, an officer responded to the Name Brand Exchange Store, at 1116 S Dobson, for a burglary alarm. The officer observed broken glass from a display case inside the business. Believing the burglary was occurring, he requested additional officers, who observed a broken window where entry was made. The sergeant located a cell phone near the broken window. The phone number was identified and subsequently the phone owner, was identified as Marc Esparza. A description of Esparza was put out to officers.

At 2:24am, while officers were searching inside the store, two officers watching the front of the store observed a male walking on the opposite side of Dobson Road that matched Esparza's description. Upon contact, Esparza admitted he had broken into the store and taken "ear gauges." He said the stolen property was at his mother's residence and gave consent to officers to retrieve the stolen property. His mother gave consent to officers to check for additional stolen property. Approximately $5,458 in stolen jewelry, ear gauges, belts, perfumes and sunglasses was recovered.

Esparza was booked for one count of Burglary 2nd Degree.

Aggravated Assault Arrest Made

Photo of Jose Gonzales

On November 7 at 12:12am, a subject, later identified as Jose Gonzales, was asked to leave the Starlight motel by the management, as he was occupying a room in the name of another person. He packed up his belongings as if to leave, then pulled a gun from his backpack and assaulted the victim. He then fired three times toward the hotel rooms. One bullet went into another room and struck a person. Gonzales then ran from the motel on foot. He was later identified through a photo line up. Gonzales had several outstanding warrants, including
a U.S. Marshal's warrant.

Gonzales was later arrested for his outstanding warrants and made a full confession to Mesa detectives. He was booked on six felony charges to include two counts of aggravated assault, one count misconduct involving weapons, one count endangerment and one count disorderly conduct.

Theft of Credit Card - Attempt to Identify

On August 26 at 11:16am, the male, pictured below, used a cloned credit card with the victim's debit card number to make three purchases at Safeway, 1960 W. Main Street. The victim was still in possession of his card and does not know how the card number was compromised.

Suspect male is described as a Hispanic male, wearing blue jeans and a gray and white striped T-shirt.

Please submit any information regarding the crime or identity of the suspect through one of the following. You can remain anonymous. 

• Use our online form found here. Please fill in the case number in the Case Number field under Incident Information. CASE NUMBER 20162390572, or 
• Text information to 274-637 (CRIMES). Begin your message with MESAPD, or  
• Call our non-emergency number at 480-644-2211 and select option 2 at the menu.

Burglary Suspect Arrested

On November 6, 2016, at 3:18 a.m., Mesa Police Officers arrested James Gurr for Burglary. Officers responded to a dentist office in the area of 1500 block East of University for the report of a burglary alarm. Upon arrival officers discovered the rear glass door of the business shattered and observed a white male inside the business trying to hide. Gurr fled the business to evade capture. While attempting to evade Gurr was confronted by officers by a wall that surrounded the business. Gurr was taken into custody and later admitted throwing a rock through the front door to steal items intending to sell them later.

Kidnapping Suspect Arrested

Julio Fernandez-Salazar

On 11-12-16 Mesa Police responded to the area of 2060 N. Center in Mesa, AZ for a possible kidnapping call. A male victim called 911 saying he was being held against his will and he described being in a trailer home along with the surroundings he could see. He described his kidnapper as an adult male named Julio. A reverse 911 hit placed the call in the area of 2060 N Center. 

Based on information provided by the victim, Detectives were able to identify an investigative lead within the complex. Detectives responded and observed that the surroundings matched the description given by the victim over the phone. Detectives knocked and made contact with the occupants of the home and all of them complied to verbal commands to step outside. Julio’s family members were interviewed and stated the victim arrived two days ago and was staying in the back bedroom. They claimed they did not know why the victim was staying with them. 

The victim was interviewed and stated he was forced to smuggle drugs across the border by other unknown armed men. He said once he arrived in Tucson he was picked up by Julio and taken to Phoenix. He stated Julio threatened him and stated he needed to pay a ransom to be released.
Julio was interviewed and stated he received a phone call two days ago and was offered money to keep the victim in his home. Julio stated he knew the victim was being held against his will and would not be able to leave until the ransom was paid. Julio stated someone was supposed to pick up the victim from his home and he disclosed having a .22 cal rifle at home. The rifle was found in the residence once a search warrant was served. Julio stated he knew what he was doing was wrong and said he never harmed the victim. 

Julio Fernandez-Salazar DOB:10-28-1981 has been booked into jail and is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of misconduct involving weapons/prohibited possessor, both felony charges.  

Residential Theft

On November 9 at 11:45 am, two suspects removed two packages from the victim's front porch in the 3100 block of East Enid Avenue. Inside the packages were dresses and six Miss America crowns used for pageants. The crowns are stamped with "Official MAO" and are composed of Swarovski crystals. The crowns are identical to the one shown here.

Suspect #1 - Hispanic female, 20s, 5'4" to 5'7" tall, thin build, long black hair, white shirt, shorts.

Suspect #2 - Hispanic male, wearing a baseball cap, unknown age, height or weight.

Vehicle used is an older model dark green van, unknown plate, possibly a Ford Aerostar.

Please submit any information regarding the crime or identity of the suspect through one of the following. You can remain anonymous. 

• Use our online form found here. Please fill in the case number in the Case Number field under Incident Information. CASE NUMBER 20163140527, or 
• Text information to 274-637 (CRIMES). Begin your message with MESAPD, or  
• Call our non-emergency number at 480-644-2211 and select option 2 at the menu.