Officer Involved Shooting - Update

On 9/14/18 a Mesa Police officer was on patrol when he encountered David Huffines. Upon making contact with Mr. Huffines, he pulled a weapon on our officer, similar to the one depicted in the image, a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Fearing for his life, our officer pulled his service weapon and fired at Mr. Huffines. Our Officer created distance and retreated to a position of cover away from Mr. Huffines. Our officer lost sight of Mr. Huffines near the front of the officer’s police car. A very short time later, our officer heard a gunshot from the area of the police car. Preliminary information is that Mr. Huffines had 6 entry wounds. Additionally, there was one small caliber wound to the right side of the suspect’s head with an exit wound on the left side. The powder burns and residue at the entry wound indicate this wound was likely self-inflicted. An expended .25 caliber casing was located near the weapon.

We are grateful that our officer survived this deadly encounter; he showed courage and perseverance, this tragic event serves as an example of the dangers associated with protecting our communities. The investigation is on-going, we will update as new information becomes available.

Not the actual suspect weapon

Operation Degrossting - Child Sex Crimes Arrests

Mesa Police Detectives partnered with Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler Police Departments as well as the Attorney General’s Office for Operation Degrossting, an undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking. Over 6 days officers and undercover detectives placed ads on websites commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts. The suspects solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.

Each year the Mesa Police Department conducts operations of this type in a continuous effort to reduce the demand that fuels child and human sex trafficking from our community. The suspects in the latest operation ranged in age from 21 to 80 years old. "Crimes involving children are of the highest priority and I appreciate our partnership with all the agencies involved in the successful removal of these dangerous child predators from our community" said Chief Ramon Batista.

The Mesa Police Department partners with organizations and survivor advocates to assist victims after being exploited or trafficked. If you have information about someone being trafficked, contact your local police department or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or humantraffickinghotline.org Our partnership with the Hickey Family Foundation, Empire Southwest, and Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) was crucial to the success of this investigation. For more information about human exploitation and trafficking, please visit http://mesaaz.gov/residents/police/departments-divisions/mesa-family-advocacy-center/heat

Attempt to Identify - Commercial Burglary Suspects

Do you know these two men?

On 8/4/18 at about 2:45 pm the two subjects pictured above entered the Shell convenience store at 1158 W University Dr in Mesa with a milk crate and a backpack. Both subjects walked around the front counter and began loading the milk crate and backpack with cigarettes and E cigarettes before leaving eastbound through the parking lot. Customers informed the store manager that both males frequent the area.

Suspect 1 was described as a Black Male in his late 20's with a goatee, wearing a black sleeveless AZ Cardinals shirt, black basketball shorts, a navy blue bandana around his neck, blue nitrile gloves, sunglasses, and a light blue San Diego Chargers hat.

Suspect 2 was a Hispanic Male in his mid to late 20's with a goatee, wearing a Chicago bulls hat, a white tee shirt, khaki shorts, sunglasses, a black backpack, with a sleeve tattoo on his left arm.

If you have any information or can help us identify these two subjects please contact Mesa Police Detective Elliff at 480-644-5929