200lbs of Meth- Another Large Drug Bust by Mesa PD

On December 21, 2022, just before 6:30pm, 36-year-old Eric Leon was stopped for speeding near 40^th St./ 202 San Tan Freeway in Phoenix. Leon had two Mesa City Warrants and was taken into custody. Officers called for a tow truck to pick up Leon’s vehicle. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers from the Central Street Crimes Unit found two large duffel bags and two cardboard boxes loaded with approximately 200lbs of zip lock baggies full of methamphetamine. The approximate street value is $400,000.

Eric Leon was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $151,500 bond.

ARS 13-3407A2; Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-3407A7; Possession of Dangerous Drugs- Transportation, a class 2 felony

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

2 Mesa City Warrants

Eric Leon Mug Shot

If you or anyone you know are struggling with addiction, one resource that may help is Community Bridges or call (877) 931-9142.

DNA IDENTIFIES SUSPECT IN STABBING AT 7-11

On September 21, 2022, just before 4:00pm, Mesa Police Officers responded to 7-11 at Gilbert and Main for a stabbing. Officers learned that a man had entered the store and took a drink without paying for it. When the employee confronted the man outside of the business, the man pushed the employee to the ground and began to hit and kick him repeatedly. The man then pulled out a knife and stabbed the employee before leaving the scene and walking into McDonalds.

Officers went to McDonalds and found that the man had already left the restaurant and went to the light rail platform. They also learned that while in the restaurant, the man entered the employee area, took a cup, and filled it at the drink station. He was confronted by a manager and pepper sprayed by a customer before leaving with the drink he did not pay for.

Video surveillance was obtained from 7-11, McDonalds, and the light rail.

While watching the 7-11 video, officers noticed that that the man had thrown a white water bottle with black writing on it in the trash can just in front of the store before walking inside. The water bottle was collected and submitted as evidence for analysis.

On November 9, 2022, the Mesa Crime Lab reported that DNA obtained from the collected water bottle was found to match DNA entered in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) for 31-year-old Jody Naputi.

Officers compared Jody’s MVD photo to all the surveillance videos and confirmed Naputi was the suspect in both incidents.

On December 7, 2022, Naputi was located in the 600 block of south 93^rd St Mesa, AZ and was taken into custody without issue.

Jody Naputi was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $100,000 bond:

ARS 13-1904A2; Armed Robbery, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-1506A1; Burglary in the 3^rd Degree, a class 4 felony

Jody Naputi Mug Shot

Lamb’s Shoe Repair Homicide Suspect Arrested

On December 6, 2022, just before 12:30pm, Mesa Police Officers responded to Lamb’s Shoe Repair, located at 28 S. Macdonald for reports of the shop owner being dead inside the business. The caller was a customer who arrived at the shop and after not seeing anyone around, started to search the business. The customer found 58-year-old Jesus Fabian De La Rosa (Fabian) lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to his body.

Officers began looking at the call history for police response to see if Fabian had any problems with anyone recently. They found that Fabian made a police report on December 1, 2022, regarding a stolen firearm. Fabian reported that his .380 caliber handgun had been stolen. Fabian told officers that he allowed an unhoused man to use the restroom in his business from time to time and he thought he may have stolen the gun. 

Family members advised officers that Fabian wore a gun in a holster to work that day. When Fabian was found, he still wore the gun holster, but there was no gun inside. Officers located fired cartridges at the scene that match both the calibers of the stolen gun and the gun Fabian had been wearing. 

Family also told officers that Fabian always had his cell phone with him. The cell phone was missing from the store. 

Witnesses told officers a man wearing unique clothing had been in the area. After viewing the light rail surveillance video, officers found the described man getting off and on the light rail at Country Club Dr. and Main St. before and after the murder. The man was wearing a helmet that covered his face and had a walking cane when he first got off the light rail. This man did not have a cane when he got back on; however, officers located the cane inside Lamb’s Shoe Repair during their investigation. 

Officers requested cell phone data from Fabian’s cell phone and traced the phone from Mesa to Phoenix, the same route the described man took on the light rail. The phone was powered off the night of the murder close to the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) in Phoenix. 

On December 9, 2022, at 5:30pm, Officers located and arrested 65-year-old Lynell Brosier at CASS. He had Fabian’s stolen .380 caliber handgun in his waistband. 

Brosier was booked into jail for the following charges:

ARS 13-1105A1; 1^st Degree Murder, a class 1 felony

ARS 13-1904A1; Armed Robbery, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-3102A4; Misconduct Involving Weapons (Prohibited Possessor), a class 4 felony

ARS 13-1802A1; Theft of a Firearm, a class 6 felony

ARS 13-1802A5; Possession of Stolen Property, a class 1 misdemeanor

Lynell Brosier Mug Shot

It goes without saying, but we want to say it anyway. Jesus Fabian De La Rosa (Fabian) was a pillar in our Mesa Community. He has owned Lamb’s Shoe Repair since 2005 and has never hesitated to help anyone in need. It is apparent how much he meant to the community in the comments left by over 100 people on our social media platforms. Our hope is that his family sees and reads the comments and knows how much he was loved by seemingly everyone.  

A special thanks goes out to the Mesa Homicide Unit. This case required hours of video collecting and monitoring. Watching video can be tedious work, especially when looking for something specific. Our detectives spent four days working around the clock to bring a close to the murder of Fabian De La Rosa and it does not go unnoticed. Thank you.

And finally, our Special Operations Division. The arrest of Lynell Brosier could not have been made without you all. Thank you.

In case you missed it, the City of Mesa highlighted Fabian in a YouTube video 9 months ago. Please watch this to get a better understanding of the type of person he was:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyaVGyhO2HM

Mesa Police Make Two Huge Drug Busts- On Same Day

On November 9, 2022, the Mesa Police Department’s Street Crimes Units made two huge drug busts, seizing various illegal drugs such as Fentanyl pills and powder, Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine. The two cases were unrelated to each other, but each provided large amounts of illegal drugs and drug related items.

In the first case, Fiesta and Red Mountain Street Crimes Units arrested 42-year-old Raymond Rivera Carbrera and seized the following:

Approximately 28, 500 Fentanyl pills

Approximately 7.5 ounces of Methamphetamine

Approximately 2 grams of Cocaine

$3, 183 in US Currency

1 Kel-Tec 9mm handgun with magazines and boxes of ammunition

Raymond Rivera Cabrera
$150,750 bond

The second case was one of the largest Fentanyl Pill drug bust in the Mesa Police Department and was made by Central and Super Street Crimes Units. They arrested three people, 36-year-old Jesus Rojas Romero, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro. The following items were seized (an estimated street value of over $4.4 million dollars):  

714, 300 Fentanyl pills

3.5 lbs. Fentanyl powder

6 lbs. of Methamphetamine

3.6 lbs. Heroin

2 lbs. Cocaine

$17, 039 in US currency

Largest Drug Bust in Mesa PD history

Drugs put into evidence before taking the above photo

Alex Ruiz
 $750,000 bond

Jesus Rojas-Romero
$10,000 bond

Christian Valles Castro
$10,000 bond

Both of these cases were worked with help from Mesa SWAT and the Organized Crime Section of the Mesa Police Department. Officers gathered intelligence and conducted surveillance, which ultimately led them to write and serve search warrants, granting them access to remove these illegal drugs and related items off of the streets.

If you or anyone you know are struggling with addiction, one resource that may help is Community Bridges or call  (877) 931-9142.

Arrest Made in Double Homicide

 

Mesa Police Make an Arrest in Double Homicide

Mesa, AZ – (November 10^th, 2022, 11:00am) Mesa Police have arrested 44-year-old Johnel Trinidad for the double homicide that occurred on 11/01/2022 at 124 N 67^th Street in Mesa.

On 11/01/2022 at around 11:15pm, Mesa Police received several calls about shots being fired at 124 N 67^th Street in Mesa. When officers arrived, they found the victims Ronnie Lazalde and his wife Natishia Lazalde under a stairwell outside of an apartment. Both Ronnie and Natishia had suffered gunshot wounds. Ronnie was pronounced deceased at the scene and Natishia was transported to the hospital where she died at around 1:20am.

Detectives determined through their investigation that Natishia was with Johnel in an apartment when Natishia’s son came over for a visit. Johnel and the son got into a verbal argument and all three of them walked outside where Ronnie joined in the argument. As the argument continued, Johnel pulled a weapon and fired at Ronnie and the son. The son then pulled his own gun and fired at Johnel while he was running away. When the shooting stopped, Ronnie and Natishia had both suffered what turned out to be fatal wounds and Johnel was shot in the leg. Johnel was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his wound and later released into police custody.

Through interviews, investigative techniques and forensic evidence recovered at the scene, Detectives found probable cause to charge Johnel Trinidad with two counts of Manslaughter (C2 felonies) for the deaths of Ronnie and Natishia, and one count of prohibited possessor (Class 4 felony). Johnel was booked into jail for the above listed charges.

Mesa Man Arrested for Murder

On November 6, 2022, around 6:10 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to 7520 E. Billings in response to a 911 caller saying they found their friend dead. When officers arrived, they located the body of 36-year-old Deangelo Tye lying in the outside landscaping. Officers saw drag marks in the landscaping that lead to a blood trail, which they followed to an upstairs apartment. 

At least two people reported to officers that they heard shots fired in the complex around 3:00 a.m. During the investigation, officers located a personal surveillance camera, which captured Deangelo and 30-year-old Michael Binion-Jones, walking to an upstairs apartment. Ten minutes later, the camera captured a lifeless Deangelo being dragged down the stairs and out of view by Binion-Jones. 

Michael Binion-Jones was located and taken into custody on November 7, 2022, in Tempe. He was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $1,000,000 bond: 

ARS 13-1104.A3; Second Degree Murder, a class one felony.

Michael Binion-Jones Mug Shot

Gym Locker Burglary Suspect Arrested

Between September 28, 2022, and October 28, 2022, Mesa Police Officers investigated a series of gym locker burglaries at two different EōS Fitness locations in Mesa. The suspect used credit cards stolen from the burglaries at various locations between Mesa and Tempe. 

Officers used video surveillance obtained from businesses where the suspect used the stolen credit cards and compared it to surveillance video provided from EōS Fitness to link six locker burglaries to eleven credit card thefts and eight fraudulent uses. This also helped in identifying the suspect, who was an EōS Fitness member. 

One victim encountered the suspect in the locker room prior to his locker being burglarized and was able to positively identify the man to police. 

On October 28, 2022, Mesa Police Officers located and arrested 39-year-old Gregory Freeman in Tempe. Freeman was booked into jail and held on a $2600 bond for the following charges: 

ARS 13-1506A1; 3rd Degree Burglary (6 counts), a class 4 felony 

ARS 13-2102A1; Theft of a Credit Card (11 counts), a class 5 felony 

ARS 13-2105A1; Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card (8 counts), a class 1 misdemeanor

Gregory Freeman Mug Shot

Superstition Springs Mall Homicide

On October 24, 2022, just before 2:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the entrance of Superstition Springs Mall, located at 1342 S. Power, for a reported shooting. Initial call comments stated a woman was shot by a bullet that came through the front car windshield. 

When officers arrived, they observed evidence indicating that a gun had been fired from inside the vehicle the victim was riding in.  

Officers questioned the 16-year-old boy and learned that the boy was “playing” with a handgun in the back seat of the vehicle, when he pulled the trigger accidentally. The bullet went through the back of the front passenger seat and struck 20-year-old Elena Hernandez. 

Elena was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. 

The 16-year-old boy was booked into Durango Juvenile Detention Center for the following charges: 

ARS 13-1103A1; Manslaughter, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-3111A; Minor in Possession of a Firearm, a class 6 felony

ARS 2809A1; Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class 6 felony

ARS 3107A; Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, a class 6 felony

Superstition Springs Mall Scene Photo

$285,000 Worth of Drugs Seized- Two Arrested

After six months of investigation, the Mesa Police Department arrested two men for various felony charges related to illegal drugs and distribution. Both men, 31-year-old Casey Thornton and 29-year-old Davonte Williams, used the Green Trail Smoke Shop in Mesa as a front to their crimes. 

With the help of the East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Mesa Police Department’s Organized Crime Section- Narcotic Unit was able to gather enough evidence through undercover operations and surveillance tactics to arrest both Thornton and Williams. 

At the conclusion of this investigation, officers seized 19 handguns, four rifles, and $285,000 worth of illegal drugs of the following type and amounts (all weights and measures are approximate): 

Methamphetamine: 91.62 grams

Fentanyl: 24,937.6 pills

Cocaine: 74.6 grams

Morphine: 5 syringes- liquid

Marijuana: 61 pounds

Marijuana gummies: 125.5 grams

Cartridges: 600+ vape pen cartridges with THC

Miscellaneous Prescriptions: 20.1 gram pills

Casey Thornton was booked into jail for the following charges and was held on a $100,000 bond.
 

Casey Thornton Mug Shot

ARS 13-3408A7: Transport or Sale of Narcotic Drugs, a class 2 felony (9 counts)
ARS 13-3408A2: Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, a class 2 felony (9 counts)
ARS 13-3408A1: Possession of Narcotic Drugs, a class 4 felony (9 counts)
ARS 13-3411A1: Possession use/ sale in a Drug Free School Zone, a class 2 felony (8 counts)
ARS 3415A: Drug Paraphernalia, a class 6 felony (9 counts)
ARS 3405A2: Possession of Marijuana for Sale, a class 4 felony (2 counts)
ARS 2317B1: Money Laundering, a class 3 felony
ARS-2312A: Illegal Control of an Enterprise, a class 3 felony
ARS 13-1003: Conspiracy to Commit (all of the above offenses), a class 2 felony
ARS 13-3102A8: Possessing a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of any Felony, a class 4 felony
ARS 3102A3: Possessing a Prohibited Weapon, a class 4 felony

Davonte Williams was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $25,000 bond:

Davonte Williams Mug Shot

ARS 13-3408A7: Transport or Sale of Narcotic Drugs, a class 2 felony (3 counts)
ARS 13-3408A2: Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, a class 2 felony (3 counts)
ARS 13-3408A1: Possession of Narcotic Drugs, a class 4 felony (3 counts)
ARS 13-3411A1: Possession use/ sale in a Drug Free School Zone, a class 2 felony (2 counts)
ARS 2317B1: Money Laundering, a class 3 felony
ARS-2312B: Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, a class 3 felony
ARS 13-1003: Conspiracy to Commit (all of the above offenses), a class 2 felony
ARS 3415A: Drug Paraphernalia, a class 6 felony (3 counts)
ARS 13-3102A8: Possessing a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of any Felony, a class 4 felony

Mesa Offers Lifetime Medical Benefits to All Eligible City Employees

Mesa Offers Lifetime Medical Benefits to All Eligible City Employees 

 Mesa, AZ – Mesa is offering lifetime medical benefits for all eligible full-time employees, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Access to lifetime medical insurance coverage adds to Mesa's already competitive salaries and benefits package, allowing the City to recruit and retain talented employees who want to build a career in the public sector.

 "The Mesa Way has always been to take care of our employees by offering competitive salaries and benefits so they can take care of themselves and their families," said Mesa City Manager Chris Brady. "Bringing back the lifetime health benefits is an extension of our focus on the health and wellness of our employees. It starts with free primary and pediatric care at our employee Mesa Health and Wellness Center and continues with medical coverage once our employees have retired from Mesa." 

 Lifetime benefits are not new to Mesa. The City provided this benefit to eligible employees before Jan. 1, 2009, when the City had to cut $62 million from the General Fund, eliminating lifetime benefits for new hires. Today's announcement ensures everyone hired since can receive lifetime medical coverage after completing 20 years of service with the City, with at least ten consecutive years of employment with the City immediately before retirement. Additionally, employees must be retired from the City of Mesa to be eligible for post-retirement health insurance. 

 "The Valley is experiencing a very competitive job market," added Mr. Brady. "We aim to recruit individuals committed to public service and reward those who have dedicated their professional careers to serving Mesa residents and businesses." 

 As with current employees, the City covers 80% of eligible retirees' insurance premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage. Mesa currently has more than 2,200 retirees receiving retirement medical benefits. Approximately 70% of Mesa's nearly 3,900 full-time employees have been hired since Jan. 1, 2009, and could be eligible for retirement medical benefits starting in 2029.

Silent Witness Tip Leads to Arrest

On August 1, 2022, the Mesa Police Department asked the public for help in identifying a man who pointed a gun at a woman’s face and then fired a handgun from his vehicle at another person on May 12, 2022. The crime occurred at a business in the area of Gilbert Rd/ U.S. 60 Mesa, AZ. Police identified the man as 33-year-old Greg Gomez through a Silent Witness tip and finally placed him under arrest yesterday, September 7, 2022.

On May 12, 2022, Mesa Police Officers responded to a shots fired call at 1559 S. Gilbert Rd (Native Grill & Wings). An employee told officers that while she was throwing the trash away in an outside dumpster, a man approached her and pointed a gun toward her face. He then ran away and got into a vehicle.

Officers spoke to a customer who said the man was inside the restaurant at the same time as him and when he walked outside to smoke a cigarette, the man started to drive his vehicle toward him, while firing several rounds from a gun in his direction.

About thirty people were inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting and officers located bullet strikes in the building structure. Surveillance video was obtained and corroborated both victims accounts of what happened.

On August 1, 2022, the Mesa Police Department asked Silent Witness for help in disseminating information to the public and asking for any information on the man’s identity. These pictures were provided in the flyer.

Suspect

Suspect vehicle

After receiving a tip through Silent Witness, the officer put together a photo line up of the suspected person and succeeded in positively identifying the suspect as 33-year-old Greg Gomez.

On September 7, 2022, Gomez was taken into custody. He was charged with the following and held on a $25,000 bond.

2 counts ARS 13-1209A; Drive by Shooting, a class 2 felony

2 counts ARS 13-1204A2; Aggravated Assault, a class 3 felony

2 counts ARS 13-2904A6; Disorderly Conduct, a class 6 felony

2 counts ARS 13-3107A; Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, a class 6 felony

Greg Gomez Mug Shot

What is Mesa Police Department’s Involvement with the 287(g) Program?

The 287(g) program serves as an immigration enforcement partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies.

On November 19, 2009, the Mesa Police Department (MPD) signed the first 287(g) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The current 287(g) MOA went into effect on June 8, 2020 and will remain in effect until either party terminates or suspends the agreement. So, why discuss this now, years after the agreement went into effect?

Once every 3 years, a steering committee meets to discuss the 287(g) program. Because of the amount of time between meetings, the 287(g) program is often an afterthought that gets brought back into the community spotlight and gives the MPD a reason to explain it better to our residents.

The 287(g) program does not allow Mesa Police Officers to proactively search for and arrest undocumented immigrants. So, what does it allow?

In the MPD, specifically the holding facility, there is one Designated Immigration Officer (DIO). If a person shows markers of being an undocumented immigrant through the normal booking process, the DIO will perform a screening under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) umbrella. Those who are deemed amenable to removal are identified while still being in custody, which greatly reduces the number of criminal offenders that are released back into the community.

Since 2020, the number of 287(g) encounters in Arizona total 644 and are broke down as follows:

·         Convicted Criminal- 407

·         Pending Criminal Charges- 225

·         Other Immigration Violator- 12

MPD has had three 287(g) encounters for 2022.

Therefore, while 287(g) may sound alarming at first, the program has been successful in identifying gang members, sex offenders, and murderers. These offenders are taken into ICE custody after serving their criminal sentences and then removed from our community.

The Career That Comes With An Extended Family

Being part of a police department certainly comes with a myriad of challenges.  For some recruits, they’ve chosen to protect and serve the community they grew up in.  For many others, the adventure begins far from home.  If they are lucky enough to be hired at the Mesa Police Department, they not only benefit from an exhaustive training program, but they become part of something bigger and better. They don’t just have the support of a growing and proud community, they gain an extended family, more than 1200 people strong. 

When one member faces a crisis, the support is unmatched.

Meet Detective Charlie White. Detective White grew up in a small, impoverished town in Kentucky before joining the U.S. Army.  After her military service, she joined Mesa PD as an officer and more recently is working as a detective in the Special Victims Unit. 

A few weeks ago, Detective White’s family and hometown in Kentucky was devastated by unexpected, historic flooding. Detective White lost family and friends in the flooding and others are still missing.

“Most homes have been swept away, the ones that do remain are severely damaged and most roads are gone. Several family members and friends lost their lives attempting to escape their homes and as the days go by, more are being recovered in the debris. The flood death toll is at 38 as of today and will continue to rise as there are many still unaccounted for as of today.” – Det. Charlie White

As time goes by, the help there is also diminishing. Detective White’s family members and loved ones in the community who survived, only have the clothes they left in as they stay in shelters. Others are living in tents where their homes once stood and are likely to be in this situation for months to come. Unfortunately, there isn’t much help being provided to this remote area and most are being told they don’t qualify for any assistance at all. 

While Detective White continues to serve our community, we want to help support her. There are two disaster relief funds that have been set up and are accepting donations.

https://kydistrict6740.org/

(click the red bar under the “About Us” section for the special message from the governor)

https://appalachianky.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2419

We are #togethermesa

Man Arrested After Violently Killing East Mesa Man

Mesa Police Officers arrested 61-year-old John Lagana after he used his vehicle to run over and kill a man in east Mesa. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as 63-year-old Christopher Heimer.

On August 12, 2022, just after 12:30 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the area of 6400 E. Alder Mesa, AZ for multiple reports of someone intentionally using their vehicle to run over another person. A witness used their own firearm and shot a round into the ground, preventing 61-year-old John Lagana from leaving the area and allowing officers to take him into custody immediately when they arrived. 

After speaking with numerous witnesses and reviewing video surveillance cameras, officers learned that 63-year-old Christopher Heimer was walking westbound on Alder at the same time Lagana was driving eastbound on Alder. Lagana swerved out of the roadway and struck Heimer as he was walking on the north sidewalk, throwing him into the landscaping of a fourplex apartment complex. Lagana continued to travel eastbound on the sidewalk, damaging mailboxes and landscaping before turning around and driving back toward Heimer. Witnesses say Lagana again drove onto the sidewalk, into the landscaping and ran over Heimer, who was already lying injured on the ground. Lagana then got out of his vehicle and proceeded to stomp on Heimer’s head multiple times. This is when one witness used their firearm to put an end to Lagana’s actions.

Witnesses further told officers that Lagana was parked in a vacant lot, just northwest of Heimer’s residence, and that Lagana honked his horn repeatedly, until Heimer came out of his home. Observations on scene showed where Lagana accelerated through the empty lot onto the street. Officers also found skid marks from Lagana’s vehicle in the roadway and on the sidewalk where the incident occurred.

Lagana was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $2,000,000 bond:

ARS 13-1105A1; 1^st Degree Murder, a class 1 felony

John Lagana Mug Shot

Hit and Run Suspect Arrested After Hitting 4-year-old

On August 7, 2022, around 4:00 p.m., a silver four door passenger car struck a four-year-old girl at the intersection of Main and Lesueur and then left the scene. Mesa Police Officers relied on witnesses and video surveillance to identify the vehicle and driver. Witnesses told officers that the vehicle had black rims and was driven by a white female with long hair. Video surveillance revealed that the vehicle displayed a black sticker just below the driver side taillight and a red and white object in the back seat.  

The four-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital and is currently being treated for a brain bleed, broken ribs, a punctured lung, facial lacerations, and facial fractures. She is expected to survive.

Twenty- Four hours later, on August 8, 2022, officers located a silver 2014 Hyundai that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located at an apartment complex at 33 S. Ashland Mesa, AZ. The vehicle was parked in a designated parking spot, which led officers to the corresponding apartment, where officers spoke to 48-year-old Veronica Laprada. Laprada was identified as the registered owner of the Hyundai and the driver of the vehicle at the time of collision.

Laprada was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $50,000 bond:

ARS 28-661A2; Failing to Remain on Scene of a Serious Physical Injury Collision, a class 3 felony.

Veronica Laprada Mug Shot

Man Arrested for Killing Passenger in Mesa Crash

On July 31, 2022, just after 3:00 p.m., a Nissan Sentra was traveling south on Gilbert Rd. at a high rate of speed. For an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a short thick metal pole, which was used to protect the power lines just south of Decatur St. The passenger, 35-year-old Kasey Galvan, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and husband of Kasey, 35-year-old Mario Galvan, remained on scene. Mesa Police Officers had Galvan complete Field Sobriety Tests. Impairment was observed and Galvan was taken into custody.

Galvan was booked into jail for the following charge and held on a $250, 000 bond:

ARS 13-1103A1; Manslaughter, a class 2 felony.

Thick metal poles used to protect power lines

Nissan Sentra

Mario Galvan Mug Shot

Mesa Police Department Begins Encryption of all Patrol Radio Frequencies

Today, the Mesa Police Department will initiate their patrol radio encryption program.  All Mesa Police Department radio frequencies will be encrypted.  This encryption program will complete a year long process that will bring the Mesa Police Department in line with the best practices established by other major police agencies throughout the United States. The main reasons for the encryption process are: 

1. To help protect personal identifying information that may be broadcasted over a radio frequency
2. To enhance officer safety by preventing the criminal element from discovering real time police locations, tactics, and strategies during a police response
3. To assist in maintaining the integrity of criminal investigations 

Transparency and the positive relationship we share with our community is of the utmost importance to the Mesa Police Department.  To balance the need for transparency and the safety of the public and our officers, all radio traffic will be available to the public with a one-hour time delay.

Privately purchased police scanners will not be able to receive encrypted radio traffic. To listen to the Mesa Police Department radio traffic, with the one-hour time delay, please access the below streaming links for each of our Patrol Districts:

Central Patrol District

Fiesta Patrol District

Red Mountain Patrol District

Superstition Patrol District

These links can also be accessed on the Mesa Police Department’s website, 

https://www.mesaazpolice.gov/about-mesa-pd/communications/radio-frequencies 

Or via the Broadcastify® application that is available in either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Mesa Police Seize Illegal Fireworks from Two Mesa Locations

Over the past two weeks the Mesa Police Department, with assistance from the Mesa Fire/Medical Department, has seized large quantities of prohibited fireworks from two different locations in Mesa.

One of the seizures occurred in the area of 1200 N. Mesa Dr. in Mesa on 6-29-22. This investigation involved not only seizing large quantities of prohibited fireworks, but also led to the arrest of a suspect with a violent criminal history. This investigation began when a detective located an on-line add reference the sale of prohibited fireworks in Mesa. Detectives were able to purchase the illegal fireworks and later served a search warrant seizing 1665 packages of fireworks valued at $7,755.00 and two AR-15 rifles. The suspect, 40-year-old George Baber, was booked on Misconduct Involving Weapons/Prohibited Possessor and misdemeanor charges related to fireworks violations will be filed through the Mesa City Court.

The other seizure occurred at a Liquor/Smoke Shop located in the area of 300 W. Brown in Mesa. After receiving an anonymous tip of the store selling illegal fireworks Mesa Police Detectives opened an investigation. During the course of this investigation undercover detectives entered the store and visually saw the illegal fireworks on display and were able to purchase them from store employees. After the purchase was made a search warrant was executed on the store on 6-24-22. During the search warrant 129 prohibited fireworks with a total value of $4,052.00 were seized. There are pending criminal charges on the store owner. The Mesa Fire/Medical Department assisted in the safe storage of the seized fireworks after they were seized.

1200 N Mesa Drive

300 W. Brown

The Mesa Police Department is fully committed to the enforcement of firework laws, both the use and sale of prohibited fireworks. The use of prohibited fireworks is not only illegal but is extremely dangerous. They create a fire hazard as well as an injury hazard. The Mesa Police Department will be out in force on the 4th of July enforcing fireworks laws.

For more information on what is legal and not legal when it comes to fireworks in Mesa, please go to https://fire.mesaaz.gov/community-outreach/fireworks for further information. If you have any information reference illegal firework sales or illegal firework use, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211.

Circle K Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested

On June 17, 2022, members of the Mesa Police Department's Major Crimes Unit in conjunction with members of the Arizona WANTED Task Force arrested 49-year-old Brandie Walker and her boyfriend, 48-year-old Johnathan Roy, for three counts of Armed Robbery after they robbed three separate Circle K convenient stores with a weapon.

The crime spree started on May 14, 2022, around 9:00 p.m., when a woman put on a black wig and entered the Circle K located at 2005 W. Broadway Mesa, AZ with a handgun. The victim told Mesa Police Officers that the woman demanded money from the cash register while displaying a gun. After providing money to the woman, the victim jumped over the counter and disarmed her. The woman ran from the store, leaving her loaded handgun in the hands of the victim, who then gave it to police.

On May 19, 2022, at 4:45 a.m., officers were sent to another armed robbery at a Circle K located at 1959 S. Greenfield. The victim told officers that a man wearing a gray wig came into the store with a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The man had a distinct tattoo on his right arm and wore easily recognizable clothing.

The third and final armed robbery occurred on June 12, 2022, just after 1:00 a.m. The Circle K at 1557 S. Val Vista was robbed by a woman wearing a brown wig armed with a handgun. This time, the woman left the scene in a vehicle driven by a man. Officers were able to retrieve the vehicle license plate number through Circle K video surveillance.

The Arizona WANTED Task Force located the vehicle at a hotel near Country Club Dr/ Hampton and eventually took Walker and Roy into custody. A search warrant was written and served on the vehicle and hotel room, allowing officers to collect evidence of the crime, to include a black BB gun and a black wig.

Brandie Walker was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $40,500 bond:

(3 counts) ARS 13-1904A2; Armed Robbery, a class 2 felony  

1 Mesa City Warrant

1 Phoenix City Warrant

Brandie Walker Mug Shot

Johnathan Roy was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $50,000 bond:

(3 counts) ARS 13-1904A2; Armed Robbery, a class 2 felony

Johnathan Roy Mug Shot

Drive By Shooter Arrested

On May 15, 2022, just after midnight, Mesa Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 400 South Stewart for reports of gunshots. When officers arrived, they located approximately 98 spent rounds scattered on south Stewart to west Vine Ave (approximately ¼ mile.) Of the 98 spent rounds, officers discovered several different types: 9mm, .40 caliber, and .223/ 5.56 assault rifle casings. 

Officers located a victim, who had been hosting a party on Stewart, and learned that 21-year-old Jorge de Jesus Rubio had tried to attend the party but was denied access due to his behavior at a prior party held in March. The victim told officers that Jorge was armed with a handgun and that another man with him had an assault rifle. After being told to leave, Jorge and the other subjects walked back to their vehicle.

A witness told officers they watched gunfire come from the vehicle as it drove away south on Stewart and then west on Vine Ave.

The victim later found two bullet holes on their house and one on a family member’s vehicle. At the time of the shooting, the house was occupied by several people, to include children.

On May 24, 2022, Phoenix Police Officers stopped Jorge after reports of him entering an intersection and doing “donuts” with his vehicle. During their investigation, officers located an empty gun case, a loaded black handgun, and an unknown amount of ammunition. The vehicle was towed.

On May 25, 2022, Mesa Police Officers wrote and served a search warrant for access to Jorge’s vehicle. Two boxes of different brands of 9mm ammunition, a 22 round magazine containing two .40 caliber rounds, loose 9mm ammunition, and an empty Glock gun box were seized. 

On June 8, 2022, Jorge was arrested. He was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $250,000 bond:

ARS 13-1209.A; Drive by Shooting, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-1211.A; Discharging a Firearm at an Occupied Structure, a class 2 felony

ARS 12-3102.A.4; Prohibited Possessor, a class 4 felony

Jorge de Jesus Rubio Mug Shot

GILA MONSTER RESCUED DURING DUI INVESTIGATION

On June 5, 2022, around 11:25 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to a convenient store parking lot in the 1100 block of S. Signal Butte for a male subject, later identified as 37-year-old Brandon Denney, sleeping behind the wheel of a running vehicle. The caller described Denney as “nodding off” and said he would mumble and shout. 

When officers arrived, they found Denney still sleeping with an orange pill bottle in his hand. Officers woke Denney up and saw that his eyes were red, and pupils constricted. Denney agreed to do field sobriety tests.

While completing the field sobriety tests, officers noticed a Gila Monster poking his head out of a box in Denney’s vehicle. Denney said he had run the Gila Monster over with his vehicle and decided to pick it up after seeing it was injured.  

Ultimately, Denney was taken into custody for driving under the influence. During an inventory search of his vehicle, officers found cocaine, methamphetamine, a fentanyl pill, and several items of drug paraphernalia.

Officers also discovered that Denney had three felony warrants for his arrest; two from California, both for Kidnapping with bonds of $1,050,000 and $300,000 and the third warrant was from Nevada for Attempted Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle for $50,000.

The Gila Monster was turned over to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The AZGFD opened their own investigation and will be charging Denney appropriately (it is illegal to own or sell a Gila Monster in Arizona without a permit). Unlike Denney’s story, the Gila Monster did not appear to be run over and had no visible injuries.

Gila Monster

Brandon Denney