Package Theft - Arrest

On December 14, 2019 Mesa Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 2900 E Pueblo for a report of a suspicious person possibly stealing packages from residential doorways. Officers located and contacted the suspect who was later identified as 37 year old Nicole Watson. Watson was caught with several packages in her possession that had just been stolen. She admitted to stealing the packages from multiple homes and was also found to be in possession of dangerous drugs. Nicole was charged with three counts of Theft, one count of Possession of a Dangerous Drug, and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The investigation also revealed she may have been involved in additional thefts and a stolen vehicle investigation out of Chandler.

On December 15, 2019 Officers located the stolen vehicle at the Home Depot at 435 S Val Vista and eventually arrested a male driver of that vehicle. Additional stolen packages were in the vehicle and have been returned to their original owners. The suspect in this stolen vehicle case was identified as 24 year old Alan Preciado-Cruz. Preciado-Cruz was charged with one count of Possession of Dangerous Drugs, and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Great work by all involved and happy the victims were able to get their packages back just before the holidays. If you see suspicious activity call and report it.

Alan Preciado-Cruz

Nicole Watson 

Operation Naughty List - Prostitution Arrests

The Mesa Police Department recently carried out Operation Naughty List, an undercover operation targeting the demand for sex crimes and human trafficking. Throughout the operational period, officers and undercover detectives were contacted by suspects who solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.

The Mesa Police Department routinely conducts operations of this type in a continuous effort to reduce the demand that fuels human sex trafficking from our community. The suspects in this operation ranged in age from 26 to 80 years old.

The Mesa Police Department partners with organizations and survivor advocates to assist victims who have been 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. Their website is https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.
For more information about human exploitation and trafficking and how to help, please visit: http://mesaaz.gov/residents/police/departments-divisions/mesa-family-advocacy-center/heat

A Former Drug Cartel Member is Arrested for Homicide

Daniel Villalobos-Espinoza, (DOB 5/16/1995), was arrested by Mesa Police on December 4, 2019, at 557 S. Olive #A. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the death of Carlos Osuna-Apodaca on November 30, 2019, someone who had worked for the same drug cartels.

A witness said Daniel’s brother, Jesus Villalobos-Espinoza, stopped by the apartment to visit the victim but he went to his room. Shortly after, the witness heard two gunshots, opened the door and found Osuna-Apodaca with a gunshot wound to the head and neck, bleeding and unresponsive. The witness then saw Daniel, standing in the apartment with a handgun, telling the witness to mind his own business. Police confirmed the witness information.

In addition, a friend of the brothers told police that Daniel and Jesus had disputes with the victim in the past and that one of the brothers was probably going to shoot Osuna-Apodaca.

 Daniel Villalobos-Espinoza

After a search warrant was served, police found a gun matching the caliber of the murder weapon.

Meanwhile, under Miranda, Jesus told police he was at the victim’s residence when his brother Daniel showed up unexpectedly. Jesus said he went outside to smoke a cigarette but took off after he heard two gunshots inside. Daniel later told Jesus that he and Osuna-Apodaca both worked for the drug cartels as a desert spotter and through third-party information, learned Osuna-Apodaca had been ordered by the cartels to kill him. So, Daniel decided to kill the victim first.

When police arrive, Daniel initially denied committing the murder but then learned of his brother’s statement to police so Daniel confessed. He said Osuna-Apodaca was not armed and his bedroom door was locked. Daniel admits to shooting the victim in the head and then reshooting him just in case he was still alive.