Mailbox Bomber Arrested

Within three days five mailboxes were destroyed by an unknown explosive device. The incidents occurred between March 12- March 15, 2021 with four of the incidents occurring in Mesa and one taking place in Gilbert. Evidence collected from the last incident left officers believing the explosive devices used were some sort of consumer firework.

During the investigations, officers discovered three of the Mesa cases had video footage from surveillance cameras which captured the suspect vehicle. Officers utilized police databases to search for a maroon Hyundai Sonata between the years of 2006-2010.

One such vehicle was associated with forty-year-old John Janecek. In addition, John was found in videos on social media making and setting off consumer fireworks. 

After obtaining a search warrant for John’s phone records, officers found that he had been in the area of the first Mesa incident, followed by the Gilbert incident shortly after.

On April 15, 2021, officers located and detained John pursuant to the search warrant. His cellphone was seized, and John was questioned. John denied blowing up any mailboxes but said he did have “materials” that he thought he should not have, so he had them destroyed. John continued to talk to officers, making incriminating statements about blowing up mailboxes, but would then stop and correct himself. 

Another search warrant was obtained for John’s social media content.  Officers found one message John sent to an individual which said, “You sure have been a lot of mailboxes disappearing.”

May 28, 2021 John was arrested by Mesa Police Officers. In a spontaneous statement, John told officers he apologized to the business owner from the first incident and paid him $30 as restitution for destroying the mailbox.

John went on further to confess to blowing up at least three mailboxes.

Any case involving explosive devices is extremely concerning for the community and law enforcement officers. Mesa Police Officers worked continuously to develop leads and obtain undisputed evidence to locate John and arrest him. We are proud of our officers and all their efforts to bring resolution to not only our community, but the Gilbert community as well. 

John was booked into Maricopa County Jail for the following charges:

5 counts 1^st Degree Burglary, ARS 13-1508A, a class 3 felony (entering a nonresidential structure while in possession of explosives)

5 counts Disorderly Conduct, ARS 13-2904A6, a class 6 felony (recklessly handling a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family, or person)

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

Who Killed 17-Year-Old Mesa Boy?

 

Joseph Seibold

On February 17, 2021 around 10:39 p.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the area of Chestnut/ 3^rd Dr for a shooting call.  When officers arrived, they found seventeen-year-old Joseph Seibold in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with a gunshot wound. Joseph later died from his injuries. 

Three suspects were seen fleeing the area of the shooting. One juvenile suspect was identified and charged, but the other two have not been identified and are still outstanding. 

A witness was able to assist with a composite sketch of one of the suspects.  This suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late teens with brown eyes. 

One Suspect

If you have any information on who killed Joseph Seibold, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-W-I-T-N-E-S-S, 480-948-6377, or 480-T-E-S-T-I-G-O for Spanish speaking. 

https://silentwitness.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-3500-Flyer-1.pdf

After More Than 2 Decades – East Valley Serial Rapist In-Custody

The Mesa Police Department, using DNA technology, identified and arrested the East Valley Rapist, 22 years after his first known offense. The man is identified as 57-year-old John Daly III, a recently retired Border Patrol Agent. 

Between July 1999 - October 2001, Mesa Police investigated a series of sexual assaults that occurred in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Bisbee. The eight cases were connected by similar suspect behavior and three of the cases (Mesa, Gilbert, and Bisbee) were matched by DNA. No viable leads were developed at that time. 

With the utilization of SAKI (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) funding, in February 2021, investigative efforts produced the name of John Daly III. A history check showed that John had residency near each of the sexual assaults at the time they occurred. 

In April 2021, DNA linked Daly to two of the sexual assaults; one Mesa and one Gilbert case. 

Officers from Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Bisbee Police Departments investigated these cases jointly, making connections, conducting interviews, and collecting evidence. The FBI assisted in recent months by providing analytical, investigative, and support resources. Border Patrol cooperated and supported this investigation. 

In conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force and multiple other agencies, Daly was taken into custody in Sierra Vista, AZ on May 4, 2021. Daly was booked for charges related to three of the eight cases. Bisbee Police Department will submit charges for their case and the other four cases require additional investigative efforts prior to charging. 

We are grateful for the partnerships and want to thank all the agencies for working together in this investigation, including the Gilbert, Chandler, Bisbee, and Sierra Vista Police Departments, FBI Phoenix Field Office including the Sierra Vista Resident Agency, U.S. Marshals Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. 

We are excited to make this announcement and hope that this brings some closure to the many victims affected by John Daly III. 

If you or someone you know may have additional information regarding John Daly III, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211. 

CASE SYNOPSIS 

November 25, 1999 6:10 a.m. 

Harris/ Baseline Mesa, AZ 

21yo Female 

Entered through unlocked front door. 

Blindfolded the victim. Committed Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, and Sexual Abuse. 

October 19, 1999 6:00 a.m. 

Houston/ Cooper Gilbert, AZ 

32yo Female 

Entered through open bathroom window. 

Blindfolded the victim. Committed Kidnapping, Burglary, and Sexual Abuse. 

November 3, 2000 Between 2:30- 4:15 a.m. 

Greenfield/ Elliot Gilbert, AZ 

35yo Female 

Entered through broken window. 

Blindfolded the victim. Committed Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Burglary, and Sexual Abuse. 

John Daly III was booked into the Cochise County Jail for the following charges: 

4 counts ARS 13-1406- Sexual Assault, a class 2 felony 

3 counts ARS 13-1304A3- Kidnapping, a class 2 felony 

3 counts ARS 13-1507A- Burglary, a class 3 felony 

3 counts ARS 13-1404A- Sexual Abuse, a class 5 felony

John Daly III

John Daly III

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.