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Hooded Suspects Flee Stolen Vehicle During Traffic Stop

yavapai county sheriff officeSedona AZ (April 11, 2013) – On March 27, 2013, at 2:30 in the morning, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a green Ford Expedition fail to come to a complete stop while exiting AZ Interstate 17 southbound off-ramp at SR Highway 179. The vehicle turned north on to Highway 179 and accelerated quickly. The YCSO deputy continued to follow as the vehicle began weaving while speeding up and slowing down for no apparent reason.

The deputy asked the YCSO dispatcher to check the license plate number but no alerts were returned. The license plate and vehicle were registered to a Flagstaff, Arizona, owner.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle finally pulled over near milepost 302. As the deputy approached the vehicle, he saw three occupants who were all wearing hooded sweatshirts with the hoods pulled over their heads. As he reached the proximity of the vehicle, it suddenly sped away at high speed.

The deputy began a vehicle pursuit which lasted about a half mile. At that point, the vehicle left the roadway, and travelled cross country until becoming stuck on the side of a hill. The driver and two occupants exited and ran north from the vehicle. Deputies checked the area but could not locate the suspects at that time.

Flagstaff Police officers contacted the registered owner who was not aware her vehicle had been stolen and who signed a stolen vehicle affidavit. During a check of the vehicle’s contents, the deputy located a cell phone and eventually determined the phone belonged to a high school student from Coconino County. The cell phone owner’s name was relayed to the Flagstaff police for follow-up.

Within a few days, the suspect was located by Flagstaff officers, arrested, and has since been charged with the theft of the Ford vehicle. Flagstaff Police and Coconino County Sheriff’s Officials are currently investigating the auto theft suspect and associated individuals for involvement in multiple burglaries in their jurisdictions as a result of the YCSO investigation.

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

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2 Comments

  1. Today every 30 seconds, a vehicle is stolen in the U.S.

    One of the biggest misconceptions about auto theft is where they occur. More than 33% of all vehicle thefts occur near the car owner’s residence and around 20% of thefts occur in parking lots?

    You should be vigilant in securing your car and luckily there are many preventive measures you can take to keep you car safe. Here are 10 things you can do to help protect your car from theft:

    DON’T LEAVE YOUR CAR UNLOCKED

    Never leave your car running, especially while it is unattended or unlocked. Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle. Many people keep a spare key under the car, just in case they get locked out and thieves know exactly where to check for an extra key. While getting locked out of your car is a pain, think about the potential hassle of your car getting stolen.

    Never leave your windows open. Even during the summer when it is scorching hot, don’t leave your windows open or slightly cracked when you are not in the vehicle, except when you leave your pet in the car (Not suggested).

    Park in well-lit, public areas. Avoid parking in areas that are poorly lit or places that are not immedi-ately seen by the public. This will not only keep you safe when you exit the car, it will also help keep your car safe because thieves tend to avoid areas that are highly visible.

    Install an audible alarm system and a visible anti-theft device. Car thieves tend to avoid cars with alarms or anti-theft devices because they attract attention when they go off. These devices are well worth the investment.

    Install a vehicle immobilizer system. Thieves can bypass your ignition by “hotwiring” your car. You can prevent this by using a vehicle mobilizer system such as fuel cut-offs and smart keys.

    Consider installing a GPS tracking system. When your car is stolen, this tracking system will emit a signal to the police of your vehicle’s location. This may help the police recover your vehicle faster and may minimize the damage to your car. This may be a good investment if you live in an area with high auto theft rates.

    Don’t leave valuable personal property in your car. The best way to attract a thief is to leave your purse or another high-value item in a highly visible area of your car. If you must put something of value in your car, keep it in the trunk or under the seats, where it is not visible to others.

    Use Common Sense. If you are wary of the safety of your car or see someone loitering around the parking lot, it’s best to park somewhere else. It’s better to walk a few extra steps than to have your car stolen because you ignored your instincts.

    Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
    PREVENT AUTO THEFT

  2. Don, VOC says:

    paper didn’t get around to putting this news in until now they copy’d you later than usual

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