TPD Patrol Division South Newsletter - May 2023

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Shoplifting, Narcotics, Firearm Arrests

On August 22, 2022, two suspects entered a beauty supply retail store with personal tote bags. They were seen on video surveillance putting merchandise displayed for sale into their bags. Both exited the business without paying. There have been approximately 13 incidents with these two suspects shoplifting from the same location, totaling approximately $24,000 dollars in merchandise taken.

Subsequently, loss prevention personnel at a clothing retailer contacted Operations Division South (ODS) Detective Gradias regarding a shoplifting incident where a green/blue Toyota Sienna with a fictitious license plate was parked outside the business. Video and photographs showed a female exiting the vehicle and entering the business, concealing merchandise displayed for sale, exiting the business without paying, and getting back into the same vehicle. The female was positively identified as the same suspect in the beauty supply incidents.

Officers located the vehicle in the area of South Campbell Avenue and East Irvington Road. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop using emergency lights and siren and loudspeaker commands, but the vehicle fled. Shortly after, it was located in an apartment complex. The suspects were seen walking away from the vehicle and detained moments later. A search incident to arrest found that the suspects had approximately 3,000 M30 pills in a variety of colors, and approximately two grams of methamphetamine. A search warrant was served on the Toyota Sienna, which found additional M30 pills and merchandise reported stolen from the beauty supply and clothing retailers.

Many thanks to ODS Zebra Units, Patrol Officers, and CRT for their assistance.

Stolen Vehicle, Narcotics, Firearm Arrests

On May 7, 2023, a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe entered an apartment complex on Benson Highway near Park Avenue. Four occupants exited the vehicle and three were eventually detained. The front passenger threw a fanny pack over the wall with his ID inside and a large quantity of blue M30s.

A revolver was located where the driver was seated. The driver was located and detained after attempting to alter his appearance. He denied stealing the vehicle and claimed to have purchased it. After being Mirandized, the driver claimed ownership of the fanny pack and revolver. The rear passenger was also detained and was in possession of a handgun. TRACC (Tucson Real-Time Analytical Crime Center) confirmed that both the driver and the passenger were prohibited from possessing firearms. All vehicle occupants were charged.

ODS Statistics

Activity

Staffing

ODS in the Community

ODS members were out and about at community events in April - including a run, a car show, and a resource fair.

Operations Division South's running team at the Old Glory Flag Run

At a car show at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

TPD Community Service Officers at a resource fair at the Cherry Avenue Recreation Center

Member Highlight

On June 23, 2022, TPD Operations Division South (ODS) Officer Engelkes responded to the 2000 block of East Valencia Road regarding two firearms being stolen from a marked Arizona Game and Fish vehicle. After an extensive investigation, no suspects were identified or located.

Two days later, ODS CSO Urias met with the victim for further follow-up on the case and was able to recover a folding knife inside the vehicle with possible blood evidence on it. The knife and DNA swabs were collected.

On November 29, 2022, the Tucson Police Department Crime Lab provided results showing that the blood collected from the knife showed very strong support for the identification of a suspect. ODS Detective Perez generated a stop and arrest flyer for the male suspect.

On April 12, 2023, ODS Officers Castillo, Dauz, and Marroquin made contact with the suspect during an unrelated incident. They discovered the flyer and contacted ODS Neighborhood Crimes Section (NCS).  Detective Navarro interviewed the suspect, who was subsequently arrested for first-degree burglary.

Job well done all around!

Crime Prevention Tip

Situational awareness may help you avoid becoming a victim of crime. Instead of looking down at your phone, be aware of what's in front of, behind, and around you. Instead of listening to loud music, listen to your surroundings. With headphones on, you could miss hearing someone run up behind you. In a less urban area, you could even miss hearing the rattle of an angry rattlesnake -  something you definitely want to pay attention to! Photo by Morica Pham on Unsplash

May & June Events

Links

Graffiti Removal
TPD Non-Emergency Online Reporting System
Report a Code Violation (weeds, trash, junked vehicles, building or sign violations)
Report a Homeless Encampment
File a Trespass Letter (for businesses)
TPD Website
For emergencies: call 911
For police non-emergencies: call (520) 791-4444