Sedona AZ (May 27, 2015) –  In April of 2014, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a silver Chevrolet pickup on AZ State Highway 89A in Prescott, Arizona, on an outstanding vehicle warrant. The vehicle eventually pulled over into the Circle K parking lot, at the intersection of State Highway 89 and Willow Creek Road, Prescott. The only occupant was its driver, John Brinnon, 58, of Paulden, Arizona. The deputy confirmed Brinnon was driving on a suspended license and that the warrant was in his name. He was asked to shut off the pickup and exit, but refused and sped away from the parking lot.

After an extensive search of the area, the truck was located traveling north of the Circle K on State Highway 89. Brinnon refused to stop when deputies attempted to pull him over and continued driving north on Highway 89, then west on Outerloop Road in Chino Valley. DPS also joined the pursuit as the truck entered Chino Valley neighborhoods north of Outerloop Road. YCSO deputies, having reduced speed for safety reasons, eventually lost sight of the pickup because of darkness and dust. A search of the area proved unsuccessful.

It was learned Brinnon remained in hiding, however he was located in June of 2014 and arrested for driving on a suspended license. The pursuit incident was still under investigation at the time.

Over the next several months, the case remained under investigation to obtain evidence confirming Brinnon was driving the truck that refused to stop on Highway 89 after earlier fleeing from the Circle K traffic stop and disappearing. Deputies eventually obtained information from those associated with Brinnon confirming he was the driver. A charge of fleeing from a law enforcement vehicle was now pending.

This morning, deputies went to Brinnon’s home in the 1200 block of Curtis Ranch Road, Paulden, to arrest him. The investigating deputy spotted Brinnon outside working on a car. Brinnon was advised of the charge related to the 2014 pursuit incident and told he would be arrested. At this time, Brinnon’s five dogs began to surround the deputy. When the deputy attempted to restrain Brinnon for handcuffing, Brinnon pulled away and resisted arrest as his dogs became aggressive. The deputy deployed pepper spray on the dogs and Brinnon in self-defense. When Brinnon took a fighting stance, the deputy was able to knock him back with a punch. Brinnon ran into his house and refused to surrender. The deputy could not pursue Brinnon because the dogs had surrounded him. Additional deputies arrived to secure the perimeter while a tactical team was activated. Brinnon was warned of this effort and after approximately fifteen minutes, he came out and was arrested.

Brinnon was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Fleeing a Pursing Law Enforcement Vehicle and Resisting Arrest. Bond has not been set. 

The deputy was uninjured.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.

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