Cottonwood AZ (February 27, 2013) – In the last few days, media reports of a Cottonwood burglary generated tips to Yavapai Silent Witness. Follow-up of tip information by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office detectives resulted in the arrest of three burglary suspects identified as 23-year-old Mitchell Moreno, 18-year-old Charlie Heath, and 18-year-old Gabriel Harman.

At the time of the investigation, all three suspects were living in the 4200 block of Zalesky Road in Cottonwood, Arizona, an area adjacent to the victim’s neighborhood.

On February 26, 2013, YCSO detectives conducted follow-up based on the tips and made contact at the home of Mitchell Moreno on Zalesky Road. During an initial search of the home, YCSO saw one of the stolen drums in Moreno’s living room. Entering an adjacent room, detectives discovered Heath and Harman. Harman was in the process of hiding a stolen guitar. Both men were detained.

Moreno stepped away to close a bathroom door. YCSO detectives checked inside the bathroom and found a majority of the reported stolen band equipment and gear. All three suspects denied involvement in the burglary on Territory Trail, but YCSO believes physical evidence recovered by the patrol deputy during the initial investigation will link all three to the crime scene.

The suspects were booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center and charges include Burglary, Trespassing, Theft with Intent of Deprive, and Theft with Control of Known Stolen Property. Bond has not been set.

Detectives estimate that close to 95 per cent of the property has been recovered.

YCSO would like to thank media outlets and callers to Silent Witness for assistance with this case. If you think that you were sold or given music equipment or gear that may have been stolen, contact YCSO with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website www.ycsoaz.gov.

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From prior release – February 22, 2013 – Cottonwood Thieves Steal $10,000 of Music Equipment – Between 7:30 p.m. on February 16, 2013, and 9:30 a.m. on February 17, 2013, unknown suspects entered an enclosed shed behind a residence in the 1000 block of Territory Trail, Cottonwood, Arizona. The suspects stole band and music equipment and left very little property behind. The shed is located in a completely fenced yard and was unlocked at the time. It appears suspects accessed the victim’s yard from an adjoining alleyway.

YCSO Deputies have recovered, and are processing, physical evidence from the scene. The victims noted that around 9:30 p.m. on February 16, 2013, someone knocked on the door of the main house and when those at home looked outside a window, no one was seen.

The stolen property is described as follows with names in quotes designating the brand:  “Marshall” bass amplifier head, Model# MB450, black, with rings on the top from beer bottles;  “Carvin” 15 inch bass cabinet model BR 115;  (2) “Shure” model SM 58 microphones;  “Washburn” 4 string bass guitar with black flat wound strings;  “Schecter” 6 string which is blue and has a large chip on the guitar body;  “Line 6” guitar amplifier, black in color with a control pedal;  (12) black “Monster” brand cables, ranging from 6-20 feet in length, silver tipped ends, red, green, and blue tape on cable ends;  “SKB” brand music case, model SKB 1200 ATA, black with silver latches, upper compartment holds 12 microphones in foam;  “Mackie” speaker, model 450DA, charcoal grey, made in Italy;  “Tama” brand drums including a 14” and 16” inch floor tom with amber fade finish;  “Tama” brand, Iron Cobra model bass drum double pedals;  “Remo Roto Toms” — 6, 8, 10 inch pitch changing drums on a stand;  “Tama” Hi-Hat stand;  “Tama” Super Star model 14×5 custom snare drum with amber fade finish;  (8) Zildjian cymbals;  “Yamaha” Subkick model;  “Mackie” 12 channel mixer, various drum cases;  (2) “Korg” guitar tuners;  (5) microphone stands;  “TC” vocal processor, among other music equipment accessories.

Anyone with information about this theft is urged to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232. Callers to Silent Witness remain anonymous and become eligible for a cash reward if an arrest is made. Refer to case number 13-005609. Please be alert to online sales sites such as Ebay and Craigslist. Suspects may also attempt street level sales via pawn shops, yard sales, etc.

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

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