Entitled Thief Steals Items to Decorate Apartment

On April 19, 2021 around 8:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers took a commercial theft report from Rancho de Tia Rosa, located at 3129 E. McKellips Rd Mesa, AZ.  The victim told police that he noticed planter pots from the restaurant stacked on top of the patio wall.  When he returned later, he saw a Ford Explorer parked by the wall containing the plater pots from the business.  

The suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Andrew Dinger, was in the driver’s seat of the Explorer and told the victim that his car would not start.  Andrew got out of the vehicle and walked away, leaving the restaurant in another vehicle from the parking lot.  

Officers obtained a search warrant for the Explorer, which was registered to Andrew, and recovered the planter pots.   

When officers arrived at Andrew’s apartment to conduct further follow up, they discovered more stolen items from the restaurant just outside his front door.  These items included additional planter pots, chairs, metal chili vine decorations, metal stars, a sun face decoration, and an apple shaped bird feeder.  The total amount of stolen property valued at $3000, according to the victim.  

Eight days later, on April 27, 2021, officers located Andrew and took him into custody.  He told officers that he took the items from the restaurant because he felt entitled to them.  He explained that he frequents Rancho de Tia Rosa four or more times a week, adding that they have so many items on their patio, he did not think they would even notice.  

Andrew was booked into jail for one count Theft, ARS 13-1802A1, a class 4 felony.

Missing Person Investigator Tackles Goggins Challenge For Alzheimer’s Awareness

Alzheimer’s. It is a word we hear often when people go missing. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. Armed with those facts amongst personal experience, Mesa Police Department’s Missing Person Investigator, Dave Silva, found a different way of bringing awareness to the subject while raising money for the Desert Southwest Arizona Alzheimer’s Association.  

Dave is one of three civilian investigators tasked with investigating missing people cases. He has been in this role for 9 years.  Dave knows firsthand how Alzheimer’s affects people and their memory loss. He currently has three people in his family experiencing the effects of this disease, including his soon to be 99-year-old grandmother (Nana Cuca). 

After watching one of his friends take on the “Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge” in March, Dave was inspired. He combined his passion for Alzheimer’s awareness and physical fitness into one event. Dave explained that the Goggins Challenge is running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours.  “I will be doing a modified version of the challenge since my 50-year-old soccer knees might not hold up…” Dave chuckled. He will be incorporating a 6500-meter row at his local gym and a 10-mile bicycle ride near his neighborhood as substitutions. 

In 48 hours, Dave will cover 66 miles. That is more than 2 marathons! He asked for names of loved ones that have died from or are currently experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s so that he can complete the challenge in their honor.  Dave named each leg of this challenge after the names he received and had them printed on a shirt that he wore proudly while accomplishing this event. 

Larry Berby – Dave’s father-in-law, experiencing early onset Dementia symptoms.

Frank Corman Jr. - Father of coworker and good friend, died of Alzheimer’s.

Wayne Townley - Father of coworker, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Norman Meltzer - Father of coworker, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Hugh Turner - Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa and body recovered nearly 10 years after disappearance in the desert 4 miles from his house.

Robert Moore - Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa and body recovered 3 days later in the desert.

Juana Monsisvais - Dave’s Tia, experiencing early onset Dementia symptoms.

Rafael Vaca – Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa. Located alive.

Albert Schafer – Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa. Located alive.

Mariana Gonzalez – Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa. Located alive.

Joseph Vincent – Missing person with Alzheimer’s, disappeared from Mesa. Located alive.

Nana Cuca (Refugia Renteria) – Dave’s grandmother, experiencing early stages of Alzheimer’s. 

Joy Gray – Mother of coworker, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Nita Jackson – Friend’s mother, died of Alzheimer’s.

Rose Fagan – Friend’s grandmother, died of Alzheimer’s.  

April 9, 2021 at 9:00 p.m., Dave began this challenge. He asked anyone who wanted to join him on any legs of this event to do so. Friends and family rode a bike with him, ran with him, and even watched him row. All showing their support for this great cause and Dave’s efforts to bring awareness. 

Dave pushed through the early morning of April 10^th and throughout the day until hitting a wall during his 7^th and 8^th leg.  “I realized last night in a tough way you can’t sprint your way through…” Dave reflected. Luckily, Dave’s friend, Dr. Brian Prebil was with him and was able to help when his legs suffered from overuse. 

Henry Vigil is another friend that stayed with Dave over the last 24 hours and according to Dave, took care of him. Henry gave Dave rides to the gym, since he was sleep deprived, and made sure he ate. Henry also rode his bike along Dave, showing that he was not alone. 

Like with any challenges, Dave had to overcome certain obstacles. In this case, Dave’s legs were heavy and overworked; he needed more recovery time. He ended up modifying his original layout and changed the 1:00 a.m. run on April 11^th to a 10-mile bicycle ride to give his legs a break. 

The last leg of this 48-hour event will be a 4-mile run for Nana Cuca. Dave will complete this run at 5:00 p.m., with his fifteen-year-old daughter, Reyna Silva, by his side. Dave glowed when he spoke about Reyna running with him and said she will give him the drive he needs to complete this challenge.  Reyna is a cross country and track athlete at Xavier College Preparatory school. 

Dave had a goal of raising $1500 for Desert Southwest Arizona Alzheimer’s Association… as of this writing he has raised $2725. 

The Mesa Police Department is proud of Investigator Silva and his efforts to raise money for Alzheimer’s awareness.  We share in his endeavor and are committed to supporting our community members affected by this disease.   

If anyone would like to donate, you can do so at

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=14244&pg=personal&px=19345017 

Homicide Suspect In-Custody

On March 30, 2021 around 7:45 p.m. Mesa Police Officers responded to 901 S. Country Club Dr for reports of shots fired.  Minutes after officers arrived, they located 23-year-old Ronnie Teran with gunshot wounds to his body. Ronnie was pronounced deceased on scene.   

Evidence collected on scene led officers to a person of interest, whom they located at a local motel in Mesa.  A traffic stop was attempted on a vehicle with the person of interest and two males inside. The vehicle fled from police and drove down an alleyway in Tempe.  The vehicle struck a detective’s vehicle at more than 50mph, all three subjects were detained.  

The officer sustained minor injuries from the collision. 

One of the males was identified as 31-year-old Jamar Johnson and the person of interest was his girlfriend.  

Officers interviewed Jamar and he admitted to shooting Ronnie. Jamar told officers that he did not stop for them during the traffic stop because he was afraid of being caught with the murder weapon.  

Officers located a gun in the alleyway where the vehicle was stopped.  

Jamar was booked into jail for the following charges: 

1ct Second Degree Murder, ARS 13-1104A2, a class 1 felony

1ct Aggravated Assault, ARS 13-1204A2, a class 2 felony

1ct Failure to Yield to Law Enforcement, ARS 28-622.01, a class 5 felony   

   

Operation Leather Mitt – Child Sex Crimes Arrests

The Mesa Police Department recently partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Attorney General’s Office for Operation Leather Mitt, an undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking. Throughout the operational period, 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. 

The Mesa Police Department routinely 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 this operation ranged in age from 21 to 56 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: https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/police/units-divisions/mesa-family-advocacy-center/sex-trafficking-heat

MESA PD MAKE AN ARREST AFTER AIRPOD ARGUMENT TURNS DEADLY

 

On March 19, 2021 around 9:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to 843 S. Longmore Mesa, AZ for reports of a shooting.  After they arrived, they located 19-year-old Garry Anau and 21-year-old Kenyada Bass, both with gunshot wounds.  Garry and Kenyada were transported to the hospital where Garry was pronounced deceased.  

Officers interviewed several witnesses and learned that Garry had purchased fake AirPods from Kenyada days prior. Garry and two other people arranged a second meeting with Kenyada.  During this meeting, Kenyada arrived with a handgun.  

An argument started about the validity of the AirPods and Kenyada produced a gun.  A physical confrontation ensued and that is when Kenyada fired his gun, striking himself in the foot and also striking Garry.  

Kenyada was booked into jail on March 23, 2021 after being released from the hospital.  He was booked for the following charges:

 

1ct Manslaughter- ARS 13-1103.A1, a class 2 felony

2cts Aggravated Assault- ARS 13-1204A2, a class 2 felony

Behavioral Health Technician Arrested for Abuse of 4-year-old

On February 17, 2021 Mesa Police Officers responded to S.E.E.K. Arizona East, located at 1830 S. Alma School Rd in response to a child abuse call.  S.E.E.K. (Specializing in the Education of Exceptional Kids) Arizona East is a developmental preschool that provides infant and toddler care.  

Officers learned that a Behavioral Health Technician, identified as 29-year-old Kyle McKee, was the sole care provider of a non-verbal 4-year-old boy with Autism.  S.E.E.K. Arizona East provided officers with five video recordings showing Kyle and the boy alone in a classroom on four different days between January 18, 2021- February 16, 2021.        

The videos showed Kyle physically abusing the 4-year-old by hitting, pushing, and kicking him.  

The 4-year-old boy suffered an injury to his face from one of the incidents but had no serious physical injuries from the other events.

Kyle McKee self-surrendered into custody on March 16, 2021 and was released from custody with an ankle monitor on March 17, 2021.  He was charged with the following: 

4cts Child Abuse- ARS 13-3623B1, a class 4 felony.

Homicide Suspect Arrested After Hospital Release

On March 5, 2021 around 10:00 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to 436 W. Rio Salado Parkway reference reports of shots fired inside an apartment.  This investigation was later determined to be a homicide. 

A 27-year-old man, identified as Deandre Brewer, was found dead inside the apartment.  Two additional people, 43-year-old Brandi Black and 40-year-old Aaron Wright, were also located in the apartment and had suffered gunshot wounds.  Brandi and Aaron were taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

Several witnesses were interviewed and different details as to what occurred were provided to detectives. Two witnesses stated that Aaron showed a handgun to his 8-year-old daughter and therefore was asked to leave the apartment.  An argument ensued after this request was made and according to these two witnesses, Aaron shot Deandre and Brandi.  Deandre returned fire and they both collapsed inside the apartment.  

A total of 26 shell casings were found inside the apartment, along with two handguns.  

On March 15, 2021, Aaron was released from the hospital and booked into jail for the following charges: 

1ct Second Degree Murder- ARS 13-1104A1, a class 1 felony.

1ct Aggravated Assault- ARS 1204A2, a class 2 felony.

1ct Misconduct Involving Weapons- ARS 13-3102A4, a class 4 felony. 

Man Steals Car... With 2-Year-Old Inside

On March 5, 2021 around 5:23 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to QuikTrip, located at 414 S. Stapley Dr. reference a stolen vehicle.  The vehicle, a dark blue BMW 328I, had been parked outside of the store and left running, with a 2-year-old boy in the back seat.  

Officers spoke to the boy’s mother, who told them that she left her son in the car because he was sleeping and did not want to wake him up.  She also left her cell phone inside which was able to be tracked. Approximately 30 officers, from several different areas of the department (patrol, detectives, undercover, and motorcycle officers) scoured the surrounding area looking for the car and the child.  

Officers at the QuikTrip quickly accessed the store surveillance video and were able to get a suspect description.

QuikTrip Video Surveillance

Officers were able to track the cell phone to the 99 Cents store, located at 1045 S. Gilbert Rd.  They found the phone in a backpack, along with other property of the mother’s, by the entrance of the building.  After viewing store surveillance video, officers saw that the man who left the backpack was also the same man from the QuikTrip surveillance video.  In addition, officers learned that the man changed clothing and was now wearing shorts and flip flops.  They found his original clothing in the bathroom and throughout the store.  

99 Cents Store Video Surveillance of suspect entering bathroom.

Around 6:24 p.m., one hour after receiving the call, officers located the vehicle abandoned in a neighborhood about 1.5 miles away from QuikTrip.  The child was located inside the vehicle and was unharmed.  He was reunited with his parents.  

Mesa Police Crime Scene Technicians were able to lift latent fingerprints from QuikTrip and Detectives used facial recognition software to identity the suspect as 24-year-old Rodrigo Garcia.  

Days were spent looking for Rodrigo with no luck until March 11, 2021.  

Around 6:47 p.m. an employee from the 99 Cents store called the Mesa Police Department and said that Rodrigo was in the store asking about his backpack.  Quickly, officers responded and took Rodrigo into custody.  

Rodrigo told officers that he did take the vehicle, but when he saw the 2-year-old child in the backseat, he abandoned it in a neighborhood.   

Rodrigo was booked into jail for the following charges and held on a $15,000 bond. 

1ct ARS 13-1304A4- Kidnapping, a class 2 felony

1ct ARS 1814A1- Theft of Means of Transportation, a class 3 felony

1ct ARS 1506A2- Vehicle Burglary, a class 4 felony

14-Year-Old Shoots Roomates

On March 9, 2021 around 2:50 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the area of 1100 E. 6th Pl for a shooting. A female, later identified as 23-year-old Monique Guzman, called 911 and told officers that she and her 23-year-old roommate, identified as Daniel Clark, had been shot. Monique said they were both shot by another member of the home, a 14-year-old boy, identified as Angel Alvarez. 

 After speaking to a witness, who also lives in the home, officers learned that Monique, Daniel, and Angel were arguing about rent as well as other issues. The witness told officers they heard a gun being racked and shots fired inside of the house. When the witness went to the hallway of the home, they found Monique and Daniel had been shot and Angel was gone. 

Monique and Daniel were transported to the hospital for further treatment. Monique sustained a gunshot wound to her left ankle and Daniel was shot in the back and in the right leg. 

About 2 hours later, Mesa Police Officers located Angel. Angel told officers that he heard Monique and Daniel arguing about rent and went to see what was going on. Angel had a gun in his waistband and told officers that Daniel was being aggressive toward him. He went on further to say he pulled out his gun, racked it, and shot Daniel two times out of anger. Angel did not know that he shot Monique in the process.

 

After the shooting, Angel ran from the scene and said he dumped the gun behind a liquor store. Officers tried to locate the firearm and accompanied Angel to the location where he said he put it but were not able to find it. 

A search warrant was executed at the house and officers found three spent shell casings as well as one live round of ammunition. 

Angel was booked into Durango Juvenile Center where he remains on a no bond status. He was booked for 2 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon- DV, ARS 13-1204A2, a class 3 felony. 

After a court hearing on March 10, 2021, this case has been remanded to adult court.

Chevron Clerk Threatened with Knife

On March 9, 2021 around 5:39 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to Chevron, located at 3565 E. Broadway Mesa, AZ in response to a male with a knife.  The store clerk told officers that a male came onto the property while he was changing the trash can liners outside.  The male, later identified as 38-year-old Eric Van Tine, had a large butcher knife in his hand and began running at the store clerk as if he were going to stab him. 

The store clerk feared for his life but was able to run away from Eric and put a vehicle between them.  The clerk told officers that Eric yelled, “I told you I would be back to kill you!” 

The clerk showed officers video surveillance of the incident.  The video shows Eric walking into the Chevron parking lot and staring at the clerk.  He then removes a large knife from his waistband and begins running toward the clerk.  When the clerk gets behind a vehicle, Eric turns around and flees the area.    

Officers began searching the area for Eric and located him at 34^th St/ Broadway. 

The store clerk was brought to Eric’s location and identified him as the man who threatened him. 

Eric told officers that he was angry with the store clerk because he had previously accused him of shoplifting.  Eric would not tell officers where he put the knife, but said he just wants to go back to prison and eat a bologna sandwich. 

Eric was booked into jail for one count Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, ARS 13-1204A2, a class 4 felony.  He is being held on $25,000 bond.