TPD Patrol Division South Newsletter - February 2025

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Captain Dominic Flores Operations Division South February 2025   Juvenile Overdose Death On January 30, 2025, a 14-year-old girl was discovered deceased by family members. An autopsy confirmed that death was the result of a fentanyl overdose. Through investigation, a juvenile suspected of selling the fentanyl to the victim was identified. He was taken into custody on February 14, 2025 and charged with Manslaughter and Sale of a Narcotic Drug in a School Zone.

Homeless Camp Narcotics Sale Arrest

On February 6, 2025, ODS Zebras were made aware of a large homeless camp on a vacant lot, consisting of about 20 residents and large tent structures in the area of 6th Avenue and Lerdo Road. A recent non-fatal shooting had been connected to the camp.

The property owner was contacted and agreed to sign a trespass letter. ODS Zebras coordinated with outreach workers and Environmental and General Services to clean up the lot and offer services to the residents. During the operation, contact was made with a female who had an outstanding felony warrant, which was confirmed and served. During search incident to arrest, she was found to have approximately 300 fentanyl pills in her bra, some labeled "Keep" and others labeled "Sell," along with other paraphernalia. She was booked for the warrant, as well as Possession of a Narcotic Drug for Sale. The entire lot was cleared out and the owner was advised.

Bicycle Stop Yields Firearm, Narcotics Sale Arrest

On February 11, 2025, ODS officers attempted a bicycle traffic stop on a male riding near the intersection of 12th Avenue and Drexel Road. The male fled into a nearby wash but was located and directed out of the wash with the help of Officer Rennick and K-9 Paco. As he was being given commands to exit, he briefly disregarded commands and hid behind a tree. He then began complying again and was detained. At the base of the tree the male had hidden behind, officers located a handgun with the serial number removed. In the path that the male was seen walking through the wash, officers located a bag containing 7.432 grams of meth, 4.568 grams of crack cocaine, 1.681 grams of heroin, a scale, 29 packets of naloxone, and 897 blue M30 pills. The bag also contained what appeared to be stolen jewelry.

The male denied ownership of the bag but admitted to manipulating the handgun. He also had $167 cash separated in 3 different wads in his pockets and a fresh set of needles, which he admitted to distributing.

The male was a convicted felon who had not had his rights restored. He was booked for prohibited possessor, narcotics sales, and other related charges.

Gunfire Leads to Arrests

On February 15, 2025, ODS officers heard multiple volleys of gunfire coming from the desert area just northeast of 12th Avenue and Valencia Road. They circulated in the area and located three subjects riding their bicycles out of the desert where the gunfire originated.

A bike traffic stop was conducted and all three subjects ditched their bicycles and fled north from Valeska and Fontana into the desert/wash area. ODS officers quickly set up quads.

A female was detained after a brief foot chase. A male was detained attempting to leave on foot. He was ultimately arrested on charges of drug paraphernalia and narcotic drug possession (M30 pills). The third subject, another male, ditched a 9mm pistol as he ran (later determined to have been stolen out of Pima County).

A K9 scout was conducted and that male, who had meth as well as a holster for a firearm on his person, was located by Officer Doyle. A prohibited possessor, the male admitted to fleeing from police. He was arrested on charges of weapons misconduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, and dangerous drug possession.

Special thanks to ODS patrol, K9, and SWAT for their assistance.

Homeless Camp Outreach Yields Narcotics Arrest

On February 11, 2025, the Tucson Police Department Community Outreach and Resource Engagement (CORE) unit conducted outreach at several camp sites that had been posted with a 72-hour Notice to Vacate by the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Outreach team. The campsites were located just west of the 3000 block of East Benson Highway.

During the outreach, a male who was wanted on a grand theft auto felony warrant took off on foot from officers on scene.

Small unit tactics were used and the male was apprehended in a wash just south of the location by Team 1 officers who responded to assist.

A small baggie containing 54 blue M30 pills and a clear rock crystal looking substance was located inside the male's pocket. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine and had a weight of 1.561 grams. 
The male was booked into the Pima County Jail on his Felony Warrant, as well as for Dangerous Drug Possession (F4) and Narcotics Possession (F4).

ODS Statistics

Activity

Staffing

ODS in the Community

ODS members participated in numerous Love of Reading Week events at various Southside schools. Here’s our very own Lieutenant Faith Schrouder at Pueblo Gardens K-8 on February 11, 2025.

ODS members, along with other department members, proudly participated in the Annual Night to Shine, a prom-like event for people with special needs, on February 8, 2025.

Member Highlight: Robbery Response

On January 14, 2025, officers from ODS responded to a robbery call at a thrift store in the 1700 block of West Valencia. A female victim had her phone taken by force during the incident. The suspect had attempted another robbery in the 1500 block of West Valencia, where one of the victims reported that he had a knife. Officer Maria Somoza responded to the area. While monitoring text updates to the call, she observed a male matching the suspect's description. Officer Somoza attempted contact, but the suspect fled toward the Santa Cruz wash. Officer Somoza was able to catch up with the suspect, maintaining a distance from him until she was able to confirm that he was not reaching for any weapons. Officer Somoza attempted to detain the suspect, and they both fell to the ground. The suspect did not comply with Officer Somoza’s commands, instead retrieving a knife from his waistband. Officer Somoza wrestled with the suspect, maintaining control and preventing him from using the knife. At one point, Officer Somoza was only able to grab the blade of the knife to maintain control of the weapon. Officer Austin Riddell arrived on scene and assisted by delivering strikes to the suspect, allowing him to be disarmed. Officers Somoza and Riddell were able to detain the suspect using the minimum amount of force necessary, preventing further victimization of the community. We're grateful for their efforts, and that both are ok.

Member Highlight: Domestic Violence Response

On January 23, 2025, officers investigating a domestic violence incident generated a 10-82 (stop and arrest bulletin) for the suspect on charges of Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault-Impeding Airway (F4) and Domestic Violence Kidnapping (F2). On January 26, 2025, Officer Jose Olivares, who had been involved in the original response, saw the suspect walking along Benson Highway near the victim’s residence. Officer Olivares attempted to contact the suspect, but he fled from him, jumping into a junkyard of abandoned vehicles. Officer Olivares was able to keep an eye on the suspect and call out his direction of travel over the radio. Officers Valenzuela and Somoza immediately set up containment off Ajo Way and Bernard Drive. Other officers from Squad 1 helped further contain the business, while officers from Squad 4 set up containment and cover for the K9 units. Lead Police Officer Jaramillo with Operations Division West deployed a drone to provide an overview of the yard. Contact was made with the owner of the business, who allowed officers inside the yard to search for the suspect. Officers were eventually able to locate the suspect, who was hiding in the trunk of a vehicle. While this is an excellent example of teamwork and collaboration – including across divisions – it was initially the observation and proactive efforts of Officer Olivares that led to the safe apprehension of a violent offender. Well done!

Crime Prevention Tip

With all the news about sensitive personal and financial data potentially being accessed by malicious actors, there is something you can do to protect yourself – freeze your credit reports. It's free. If you freeze your credit reports with the big three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, it creates a roadblock for people trying to take out a loan or apply for credit in your name. If you need to apply for a loan, you can temporarily unfreeze your accounts and then refreeze them again. For more information, and links to the three credit reporting agencies, visit: https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze.

January/February 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