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

MESA PD ARREST THREE FOR VIOLENT CRIME SPREE

Mesa police officers arrested three suspects in connection with a violent crime spree that occurred on the evening of August 11, 2023. 18-year-old Isaiah Ortiz and two other suspects, under the age of eighteen, were booked into jail for various felony charges to include assisting a criminal street gang. It all happened within a few minutes as the three suspects managed to victimize 8 people, while traveling in a vehicle, and using a firearm. 

At 5:41pm, Mesa Police Officers responded to a shots fired call in the 1500 block of south Pima. Officers found multiple shell casings on the ground and a car with a bullet strike on its frame. The suspect vehicle was described as a black Kia Optima.

Bullet strike in victim vehicle

At 5:44pm, the Mesa Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center alerted officers to Guerrero Rotary Park, where they saw three suspects get out of a black Kia and approach two people in the park. One suspect, now known to be Ortiz, used a handgun to rob the victims.  

At 5:45pm, just south of the park, a victim reported Ortiz pointed a gun at him and tried to rob him. As the vehicle drove away, the victim and a witness reported hearing shots fired.

Shortly after, another victim told officers that one of the juvenile suspects asked him for money and when he didn’t give him any, Ortiz put a gun to his neck and asked if he wanted to die.

The spree continued with two more victims telling officers that the black Kia drove left of center and toward them while Oritz pointed a gun at them.

Mesa police officers located the Kia and attempted to stop the car by activating their patrol car lights and sirens, but the vehicle refused to pull over and fled the scene. Ultimately, the vehicle became disabled after colliding with another vehicle while turning in the roadway. 

Suspect vehicle

All three suspects ran from the vehicle in three different directions, but amazingly, officers were able to apprehend all three. Ortiz was found to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound and required transportation to the hospital, he was also in possession of a firearm. It was unclear when Ortiz received the injury.

Multiple victims and witnesses identified the three suspects on scene as those who committed the crimes.

Both juvenile suspects were booked into Durango Juvenile Holding Facility.

On August 13, 2023, Isaiah Ortiz was released from the hospital and booked into jail, where he remains on a $150,000 bond. He was booked for the following charges.

·        5 counts- ARS 13-1904.A2- Armed Robbery, a class two felony

·        5 counts- ARS 13-1204.A2- Aggravated Assault, a class three felony

·        ARS 28-622.01- Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, a class five felony

·        ARS 13-2321.B- Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, a class three felony

·        ARS 13-1209A- Drive by Shooting, a class two felony

·        ARS 13-3107A- Unlawful Discharge of Firearm

Isaiah Ortiz Mug Shot

Three Suspects Arrested in Violent Armed Robbery

On 07/26/2023 just before 2:00am, The Mesa Police Department arrested 23-year-old Michael Jackson, 22-year-old Tyshaun Pruitt, and a 17-year-old juvenile for an armed robbery that occurred in the 2100 block of West Broadway. All three were booked into jail.

The situation started when our victim went to an ATM to take out some cash not knowing that the suspects were watching the ATM, possibly trying to identify potential victims. It appears the victim was followed by the suspects to his apartment and as he walked to his front door, three men jumped out with guns and demanded his money, valuables, and car keys. The victim said that one of the suspects had an assault rifle that was pointed at his head. After robbing the victim at gunpoint, the suspects fled and stole his vehicle in the process. Officers arrived, spoke to the victim, and found that the victims’ vehicle was equipped with a tracking device. When the tracking was turned on, the vehicle was showing in Phoenix. Officers from several surrounding agencies responded to the area. With the assistance of the Mesa Police Air Unit, the victim’s vehicle was found exiting an apartment complex on the Phoenix and Tempe border. As officers moved into the area, the victim’s vehicle was disabled. The three suspects bailed out of the car and ran west on foot. All three were caught a short time later.

All three suspects refused to speak to police. Items belonging to the suspects were found in and around the victim’s vehicle. All three were booked for armed robbery ARS 13-1904A1, a class 2 felony.

This is a reminder to be vigilant whenever you are taking cash out of ATM’s or banks. Keep an eye on your surroundings and if you see something that stands out, don’t hesitate to call the police. 

We would like to thank Arizona DPS, Tempe Police, and Phoenix Police for assisting us in locating and arresting the suspects in this case.

Jackson booking photo

Pruitt booking photo

Suspect Arrested After Starting Fires in Mesa Target

On June 27, 2023, just before 10:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to reports of a fire inside a Target store located at 1230 S. Longmore. Officers ran inside the store with a fire extinguisher, yelling to make sure no one else was inside, but soon realized the store had filled with too much smoke and had to exit.

Smoke in Target

Mesa Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. In a joint investigation with Mesa Fire, officers learned that two separate fires were started inside the store: one in the baby diaper aisle and the other, a piece of clothing on the floor.   

Diaper Aisle

Burned Shirt

Target reported the amount of damage caused by the fire was upwards of $5,000,000 as toxic smoke had contacted all the merchandise inside the store in addition to fire suppression sprinklers flooding the area.

Officers gathered video surveillance from Target and watched as an adult man walked through the store, placing items into a shopping cart. This man picks up a shirt resembling the one that was set on fire. He hastily moves from the area, toward electronics as smoke is starting to invade the store. The man watches the fire grow and then attempts to break into a case of cell phones with a hammer but is unsuccessful.

The man is one of the last to leave the store and when he does, he takes several items of stolen merchandise with him and flees in a black sedan.

Officers obtained a license plate from surveillance video and eventually identified a suspect, 31-year-old Daniel Hull.  As luck would have it, officers wouldn’t have to look far to find Hull, he was sitting in Mesa Police custody from an unrelated arrest earlier in the day.

Hull was interviewed by officers and admitted to starting the fires.

Daniel Hull was booked into jail for the following charges related to this case:

ARS 13-1704A; Arson of an occupied structure, a class 2 felony

ARS 13-1201A; Endangerment, a class 6 felony

ARS 13-1805I; Shoplift Artifice, a class 4 felony

ARS 13-1602A1; Criminal Damage over $5,000,000, a class 4 felony

Daniel Hull Mug Shot

Arrest Made in Shooting Death of Jeremiah Aviles

On May 7, 2023, just before 2:00 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to reports of shots fired in a house on the 2300 block of east Camino St. During their investigation, officers learned that 18-year-old Peter Clabron III lived at this residence and was inside his bedroom with 18-year-old Jeremiah Aviles and a witness when Jeremiah was shot and later pronounced deceased on scene.

Officers obtained initial statements from both Clabron III and the witness about what happened, but later learned the information was not truthful and attempted to point blame at another person who was not in the bedroom during the shooting. Eventually, the witness came forward and told the officers the truth. 

After the execution of a search warrant, officers located video evidence that shows Clabron III pointing a firearm several times at Jeremiah prior to and leading up to the shooting. In addition, just hours before the deadly shooting, witnesses identified Clabron III firing a handgun into the air from the back of a truck traveling though his neighborhood. 

On May 11, 2023, Peter Clabron III was booked into jail for the following charges: 

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

ARS 13-3107A; Unlawful discharge of a firearm, a class 6 felony (2 counts)

Peter Clabron III Mug Shot

 

Mesa Police Arrest Suspect in Weekend Murder

 

Over the weekend, the Mesa Police Department responded to a shooting at Sossaman and Main where 42-year-old Arron Hendricks was shot and killed. 18-year-old Anton Sereghy was arrested and charged with second degree murder.

On April 15, 2023, just before 5:15 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to a shooting at Sossaman and Main Street. They found 42-year-old Arron Hendricks, lying in the roadway next to his motorcycle with a gunshot wound. Arron was transported to the hospital where he died.

According to witnesses, Arron was riding east on Main Street with a group of motorcyclists when they became involved in a "road rage" incident with a red Nissan. When both vehicles stopped for the red light at Sossaman and Main, a verbal altercation occurred. As Arron was a few feet away from the red Nissan one shot was fired from the vehicle striking Arron in the neck.

After the shooting, the red Nissan fled eastbound on Main Street. Witnesses provided police with a description of the driver and the suspect who was sitting in the passenger seat. Officers were also provided video from a witness dashcam mounted on his front dashboard which helped them identify the red Nissan. Using this information, detectives were able to locate the driver and ultimately Anton.

Both the driver and Anton admitted to being involved in a road rage altercation with several motorcyclists. Anton said he was scared about being assaulted by the motorcyclists and shot Arron because he “lost it” when the motorcyclists were yelling and cussing at him and because Arron “spit at him”. 

Anton Sereghy was arrested for one count of second-degree murder.

Sereghy Mugshot

 

Suspect Wanted for Murder in Mesa Arrested

                                

MESA, AZ- (April 7, 2023) Murder suspect, 27-year-old Kathryn “Katie” Hansen has finally been located and taken into custody two months after the murder of 32-year-old Keith Emmons.

 

On February 7, 2023, just after 2:00 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to a residence in the area of 1100 S. Palo Verde regarding a shooting. Officers discovered 32-year-old Keith Emmons dead inside a bedroom with gunshot wounds to his body.

 

Witnesses identified Hansen as the suspect. A warrant was issued for Hansen on first degree murder charges in the death of Emmons.

 

This afternoon, the Phoenix Police Department notified Mesa Police that they had a lead and possible location on Hansen. Soon after, they took Hansen into custody.

 

The Mesa Police Department would like to thank the community for their assistance in this case. We asked for the public’s help and received several tips. Those tips allowed detectives to follow up on leads that we believe ultimately led to Hansen’s arrest. Our community’s willingness to step up helped us take a violent offender off the street. We hope this arrest brings some peace and closure to the Emmons family.

 

Mesa Police Arrest Suspect in BoSa Donuts Shooting

 

On 04/02/2023 at around 3:15am, The Mesa Police Department received a call of a shooting at the BoSa Donut Shop located at 805 N Dobson. The caller (one of the victims) stated that a black male, later identified as 30 year old Donald Williams, entered the donut shop, and began arguing with both him and the employees. The caller backed away from Williams who then moved to the counter where he displayed a handgun shooting one of the workers at the counter. He also fired at two other employees but did not strike them. The caller stated that he went outside, got in his car, and tried to leave. Williams came out of the donut shop and fired several rounds at him while he was trying to drive away. Williams then ran from the scene in a westbound direction. 

The victims were both treated by Mesa Police and Fire personnel and transported to the hospital. The male victim has since been released and the female victim remains in the hospital. 

Detectives were able to identify Williams as the suspect and he was taken into custody earlier today without incident. During an interview with detectives, Williams admitted his involvement in this shooting and provided detectives with information where he disposed of the handgun used in this incident. Detectives are actively working to locate and recover this handgun. We commend all the officers and support personnel who worked tirelessly for the last three days to bring this case to a resolution. 

Donald Williams was booked into jail for the following charges: 

•  2 counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, ARS 13-1105A.1, a class 2 felony
•  2 counts of Aggravated Assault, ARS 13-1204A.1 (cause serious physical injury) a class 3 felony
•  2 counts Aggravated Assault, ARS 13-1204A.2 (uses a deadly weapon) a class 3 felony 
•  4 counts of Endangerment ARS 13-1201.A a class 6 felony 
• 1 count of Tampering with Evidence ARS 13-2809A.1 a class 6 felony

Donald Williams Mug Shot

Teacher’s Aide Arrested for Sexual Abuse

On March 28, 2023, Mesa Police Officers responded to Lehi Elementary, located at 2555 N. Stapley, to investigate a report of sexual abuse. The 9-year-old victim told school staff that the teacher’s assistant, 28-year-old Antonio Jordan, had touched her inappropriately the day before and may have recorded it on his cell phone. The victim detailed that when class ended, Jordan told her to stay behind and pull up her shirt. Jordan put his hands under the victim’s shirt and touched her chest.

On March 29, 2023, officers located Jordan, who told investigators he had a “stethoscope fetish,” and chose the victim because of her interest in a stethoscope he brought to class. 

Jordan allowed officers access to his cell phone, where they located three videos of him abusing the victim on three different occasions. The videos are all similar and show Jordan in the classroom alone with the victim. Jordan can be seen using the stethoscope on the victim’s body and putting his hand under her shirt, touching all over her chest. 

Antonio Jordan was booked into jail for three counts of Sexual Abuse: ARS 13-1404A, a class 3 felony.

Antonio Jordan Mug Shot

Operation Safer Streets

During March and April, the Mesa Police Traffic Unit will be leading Operation Safer Streets. This will be a selective enforcement detail targeting driving behaviors that are contributing factors of fatal and serious injury collisions. 

In 2022, there were 44 fatal collisions and over 1000 injury collisions in the City of Mesa. Officers will be concentrating on contributing factors such as speeding, distracted driving, unsafe vehicle operations, and pedestrian violations. This enforcement detail will occur at various days and times. 

We encourage the public to obey all traffic laws and especially want them to put down their electronic devices while driving; slow down, be aware of other vehicles and pedestrians entering their pathway, and don’t drive impaired.

Juvenile Arrested for Murder in Mesa

 

News Release      

 

Juvenile Arrested for Murder in Mesa

Mesa, AZ – (February 9^th, 2023) On 02/08/2023, 16-year-old Armando Medina was arrested for a murder that took place on 02/05/2023 at 1230 N Mesa Drive. The victim was identified as 24-year-old Marquis Johnson.

On 02/05/2023 at around 9:40pm, The Mesa Police Department received several calls of “shots fired” in the area of 1230 N Mesa Drive. As officers were responding, additional information was received that there was a male, later identified as Marquis Johnson, down in the parking lot. Officers arrived and located Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel responded but Johnson was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:05pm.

Officers learned that Johnson and a friend were at the corner of Mesa Drive and Brown when they thought they heard a gunshot. Three males and a female then appeared on the sidewalk close to where they heard the possible gunshot and began walking towards them. Words were exchanged between Johnson and the group which led to a physical fight. When Johnson’s friend tried to help him, a male later identified as Armando Medina, pointed a gun at both Johnson and the friend. The group left northbound with Johnson and the friend behind them. When they reached 1230 N Mesa Drive, Medina turned around and fired several shots, striking Johnson.

Detectives were able to identify Medina and the female who was with him that night. Through their investigation, officers were led to an area where they believed the males may live or frequent. Yesterday, officers spotted three males in the area where the shooting took place. They identified Armando as one of the males in this group and detained all three. After interviewing the three males, Medina was arrested for one count of 2^nd degree murder, aggravated assault, and being under 18 and in possession of a firearm.

The investigation could have not come to a swift conclusion without the help of both Mesa and Gilbert Police officers. Information that was vital to the arrest of Medina came from officers who took the extra time to help identify Medina and the female he was with that night.

 

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New Year, New Website for Mesa PD

The Mesa Police Department is proud to announce the launch of their new custom-designed recruitment website, Join Mesa PD. The new site launched at the beginning of January 2023. It provides an experience for viewers with enhances photos and videos and is designed specifically to encourage job seekers across the country to learn more about the Mesa Police Department.

In August 2022, interviews were conducted with City of Mesa employees in what was called “Discovery Day.” Based on those interviews, three main pillars were established to build the website around: Learn. Lead. Live.

In addition, a digital marketing campaign, “The Mesa Way,” was created and utilized across all online channels to advertise, engage, and attract interested candidates to everything the Mesa Police Department has to offer.

Since the launch, the website has generated 1.67 million views from across the nation compared to the previous website.

Check it out, the website is LIVE! Visit joinmesapd.com and apply now!

Mesa Homicide- Do You Have Information?

On January 17, 2023, just before 7:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to Goodwill, located at 1900 E. University for reports of a man down in the parking lot who was not breathing. The man was identified as 32-year-old Johnathan Gliege. Johnathan had injuries to his body that appear to be the result of foul play. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. 

Officers began looking for security cameras in the area and spoke to several people, but at this point have not been able to identify any witnesses or locate any video footage to show what happened.   

The Mesa Police Department is asking the public for help. Please look at the photograph of Johnathan. If you saw him in the area of Gilbert and University in the early evening hours of January 17, 2023, you may have information that could help solve this case. Please contact the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS with any information.

Victim- Johnathan Gliege

Mesa PD’s Homicide Unit Ends 2022 With 88.46% Clearance Rate

Mesa Police Department’s Homicide Unit. We throw the name around in media releases and blogs for all to read, but what does the generic title even mean? Who are the people in the unit and what exactly do they do?

Our Homicide Unit is comprised of one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, nine field detectives, one cold case detective, one civilian investigator, seven cold case volunteers, one intern, and one crime analyst… phew! Seems like a lot. But let’s break it down even further. What happens when someone is murdered in Mesa? Who responds?

Initially patrol officers will be dispatched. Once on scene, if they determine the death is suspicious or if they know for sure it is a murder, the Homicide Unit gets called out. No, not the whole unit, but a select few. The Homicide Unit has an “on-call” team on standby and ready to go at any time, any day of the week. The on-call team is made up of one sergeant and three detectives and they rotate teams every week. Just imagine what it’s like for that team when in one week there are multiple call outs. Yes, it does happen. And to top it off, the on-call team also responds to Mesa Police Officer involved shootings, whether the person has died or not. Oh- side note… they also review every dead body call in Mesa that is not a vehicular homicide. That’s 915 dead body calls in the last year! The only dead body cases our Homicide Unit does not investigate are vehicular homicides (i.e., DUI or hit and run related collisions resulting in death), which is taken on by our Vehicular Crimes Unit- that’s a whole other story.

Our Homicide Unit responded to and took lead on 26 cases with 31 victims in 2022. They solved all but three cases, and usually within a month of the murder. This gave a clearance rate of 88.46%, an impressive number, especially when talking about the most heinous of crimes. But then I learned, comparative to 2021 and many years before, this was no rarity. This was the elite work of the Mesa Police Department.

When I sat down with the unit, in awe of the work they accomplished, Detective Delia Marquez quickly informed me, “It’s never a one man show.” With Detective J. Ingram adding that the mass number of murders are solved because of, “businesses and private citizens coming forward with information.” I watched as several other detectives nodded their heads in agreement.

In addition to the community working with the police, internally, multiple units in the police department also become involved in homicide cases. This includes Crime Scene Specialists- to photograph the scene as well as collect and process evidence, the Real Time Crime Center- to gather intelligence, and the Special Operations Division- to plan the apprehension of an outstanding suspect. “The Crime Lab and Firearms Examiners also play a huge role in solving homicide cases.” Added Detective Paul Sipe.

Every detective I spoke to was quick to get any praise off of them, immediately. The genuine spirit of a homicide detective was humbling. Detective Amy Johnson is the most senior detective on the unit, being a police officer for 23 years, with 10 of those years in the Homicide Unit. I asked why she has stayed in this unit for so long. She said it is the fulfillment of “seeing a case through from beginning to end.”

The newest member of the Homicide Unit has been on the team for eight months, Detective J. Ingram. With 23 years in law enforcement, he shared his eye-opening experience about becoming a Homicide Detective and sliding into a role that put him as the tie between a lost loved one and their family members. He said, “The most difficult part (of being a homicide detective) is the death notification.”

In 2022, 31 people in Mesa died at the hands of someone else: 23 by gunfire, four by stabbing, one by hammer, one by fire, one by vehicle (purposely ran victim over with car- twice), and one by strangulation. 20 cases have been solved resulting in charges filed, one case was solved as self-defense (no charges), and two additional cases were solved due to the suspects killing themselves in a murder/ suicide prior to law enforcement involvement. That leaves three unsolved cases.

• The shooting deaths of 23yo Willie Love and 25yo Curtis West at 1457 W. Southern on June 4, 2022.
• The stabbing death of 25yo Gabriel Hilsdorf at 825 S. Alma School on September 20, 2022.
• The shooting death of 22yo Maximillian Utley at 1302 S. Revere on November 25, 2022.

What happens to unsolved homicide cases? Walking through the office, I saw stacks of paperwork and many detectives fully invested in their computer screens. Detective Teresa Van Galder had a mountain of papers in a cardboard box just inside her cubicle. She is the only sworn Cold Case Detective in the Homicide Unit. To be classified as a cold case in Arizona, the case must be “unsolved for one year or more after being reported to a law enforcement agency, and that has no viable and unexplored investigatory leads” as defined by ARS 13-4271.

Detective Van Galder has a case load of approximately 100 cold cases, which prompted the need for civilian volunteers. The volunteers dedicate their own time to reviewing cold cases and seeing if they can find anything that may have been missed or could ultimately help solve a stagnant case. Alongside her is Civilian Investigator Roland Brown, a retired police officer from Detroit, Michigan. Roland spent 23 of his 26 years in law enforcement in Investigations. So, why come back after retirement? He says, “Working cold case homicide allows me to continue my commitment to bringing closure to family members who still believe in the justice system.”

Curious about what other units do on the Mesa Police Department? Leave us a comment, telling us what you want to read about.

If anyone has information about any unsolved homicide, please call the Mesa Police Department’s non-emergency line at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

Mesa Police Department is always hiring, check out our website at JOIN MESA.

Sgt. Brad Clarke on scene with Detectives Paul Sipe and Steve Smith

Detective Delia Marquez measures the height of a car

 

Detective J. Ingram looks over a case

Detective J. Ingram points out scene evidence to Lt. Jason Redwing and Sgt. Brad Clarke

Detective Dan Hallemeyer discusses a case with Detective Steve Smith

Sgt. Brad Clarke and Detective Dan Hallemeyer search a dumpster

MESA POLICE ARREST HOMICIDE SUSPECT AND WIFE

The Mesa Police Department investigated a murder that occurred on December 28, 2022, with very little evidence to go on. A man was found dead in the roadway from a gunshot wound, but there were no shell casings found around his body or any witnesses who may have seen what happened. Officers from multiple divisions within the police department worked together to watch video surveillance, comb through cellular data, and write and serve numerous search warrants. Within two days, a suspect was in custody because of the tireless hours put in by members of the Homicide Unit, the Special Operations Division, the Real Time Crime Center, and our police partners at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Without their dedication to solving this case, the suspect may never have been caught.

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On December 30, 2022, just after 11:00pm, Mesa Police Officers arrested 33-year-old Heath Daniel for First Degree Murder. Daniel’s wife, 37-year-old Vanessa Daniel was also arrested for hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

On December 28, 2022, just before 7:00am, Mesa Police officers responded to 260 W. 8^th Ave for reports of a “man down” in the roadway. It was discovered that the man, later identified as 31-year-old Jose Olvera Ramirez had been shot. Jose was pronounced dead on scene.

With no witnesses to what may have occurred and very little evidence on scene, detectives from the Homicide Unit turned to video surveillance cameras in the surrounding area to help piece together what may have occurred. Video from Circle K, on the corner of 8^th Ave and Country Club, showed Jose interacting with someone in a white passenger car just 10 minutes before officers were dispatched to the scene. The driver of the car was a man wearing a dark hat with the letters “NY” on it. The car had identifiable damage to the bumper and was picked up by other surveillance cameras, which ultimately gave officers a license plate, and registered owner, Heath Daniel.

Cellular phone records were obtained and showed Daniel’s phone in the area of the murder at the time it occurred. 

On December 30, 2022, officers served multiple search warrants for various locations associated with Daniel. At Daniel’s house, officers found a dark hat with “NY” on it along with an empty gun box for a .45 caliber pistol. Daniel’s vehicle was found at a relative’s house, where he and his wife, Vanessa Daniel, asked them to hold on to it and a box of .45 caliber cartridges. Fired and unfired .45 caliber casings were found in and on Daniel’s vehicle. Officers also learned, at another location, Daniel said he shot a man and even showed a .45 caliber handgun to a witness.

While officers were serving the search warrants, information was obtained that Daniel had left the area in a separate vehicle. DPS assisted Mesa Police Officers and located Daniel and his wife traveling on the I-10 southbound toward Tucson, AZ.

Both Heath and Vanessa Daniel were transported back to Mesa, where they were both booked into jail.

Heath was booked under the following charges and held on a $500,000 bond:

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

ARS 13-3102A4; Prohibited Possessor, a class 4 felony

Heath Daniel Mug Shot

Vanessa was booked into jail on the following charges:

ARS 13-2512B1; Hindering Prosecution, a class 3 felony

ARS 13-2809A1; Tampering with Evidence, a class 6 felony

Vanessa Daniel Mug Shot