TPD Patrol Division South Newsletter - July 2025

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. |

Captain Dominic Flores Operations Division South July 2025   Loitering Leads to Felony Arrest On June 25, 2025, ODS Officers Wadsworth and Pierson were operating as a two-person unit and responded to the 3600 block of South Park Avenue in reference to an unwanted persons call. All subjects were asked to leave the property, but two individuals, a male and a female, decided to linger and walk to a vehicle. The female sat in the front passenger seat as the male walked away from the driver's side. The female then exited the vehicle to enter the store. Drug paraphernalia was located in plain view on the passenger side seat and floorboard. The female was detained and the vehicle was searched. During the search, drug paraphernalia was located throughout the vehicle, as were 3 blue M30 pills. The male left the area and was not contacted. A records check showed that the female had an active felony warrant, which was confirmed and served. She was charged with additional felony charges for attempting to tamper with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia and was booked into the Pima County Jail.

DUI Arrest

On June 26, 2025, ODS officers conducted a traffic stop on a silver Toyota Corolla that ran a red light at Campbell and Irvington. Multiple times, the vehicle would come to a stop and then attempt to flee. The vehicle finally came to a stop in the 1700 block of East Irvington Road and contact was made with the male driver.

The driver was asked to take the keys out of the ignition, at which point he became extremely argumentative with officers, who noticed signs of possible impairment. When he was asked for his drivers license, he said he did not have one, due to a previous DUI. A records check confirmed that his license was suspended. When officers attempted to detain the driver, he pulled away to avoid being placed into handcuffs. After a brief struggle, in which he reached for an officer's gun, the driver was detained without injury. He said his intent in reaching for the officer’s gun was so we could shoot him because he wanted to die. He was placed under arrest for aggravated DUI.

Aggravated Assault Arrest

On July 3, 2025, there was a parole violation warrant in the system for a male who had been charged with aggravated assault while out on parole. The male was reported to be walking in the area of South 6th Avenue and West Ohio Street. ODS officers positively identified the male walking northbound on 6th, approaching West 39th Street. K9 Officer Gutierrez with K9 Helio and K9 Officer Rennick with K9 Paco responded to assist, along with ODS CRT (Community Response Team). Officers attempted to contact the male before he fled on foot.

Shortly thereafter, the male was apprehended by K9 Helio. Officers detained him and South Tucson Fire responded to triage his injuries. His warrant was confirmed and he was transported to UMC Banner-South for further medical treatment. U.S. Marshals responded and took custody of the male.

Mistaken Jail Release Apprehended

On March 28, 2025, the Pima County Jail mistakenly released a male inmate from custody. The male was due to be transferred to Arizona Department of Corrections custody for a felony parole violation warrant, but was released in a clerical error.

The incident was reported to local news outlets. The Pima County Sheriff's Department was unsuccessful in re-apprehending the male. On July 8, 2025, while conducting proactive patrol at the Laos Transit Center, ODS officers observed a male with narcotics paraphernalia in his possession. The male (who was the mistakenly released inmate) fled from officers and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. He was transported to the Arizona Department of Corrections, where he was taken into custody.

Fictitious Plate, Jaywalking Leads to Child Sexual Assault Arrest

On July 12, 2025, ODS officers were conducting proactive policing in the area of 12th Avenue and Drexel Road. Lead Patrol Officer Nicholl observed a white Buick with a fictitious plate. The male driver parked and exited upon seeing the marked patrol vehicle, jaywalking across Drexel. He was contacted and initially provided a false name, but was later identified using the Morpho fingerprint scanner. A records check returned with three outstanding felony warrants out of New Mexico for failure to appear on charges related to the sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13 and for failure to register as a sex offender. The warrants were confirmed and the male was booked into the Pima County Jail.

ODS Statistics

Activity

Staffing

Back 2 School Bash

TPD officers from Operations Division South participated in the Back 2 School Bash at Quincie Douglas Center on July 12, 2025. The event was a huge success, with hundreds of kids and teenagers receiving brand-new backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. Lots of smiles, lots of happy families, and an overall great time!

Holiday Donations Coming In

Operations Division South is already gearing up for the holidays! ODS members helped sort through a ton of donations that have already come in for the 2025 winter holidays. ODS members loaded up a truckload of toys and school supplies that they will be able to give away to community members at upcoming ODS community events.

Member Highlight

On June 26, 2025, Officers Birch and Parker were conducting hotspot policing in the area of 12th Avenue and Ajo Way when they saw a suspicious vehicle parked behind the Peter Piper Pizza. Officer Knowlton and CSO Arvizu responded to assist.

A female was sitting on a curb near the vehicle and said her boyfriend was inside. The male appeared to be slumped over in the vehicle, with drug paraphernalia in plain view. The female and the male were detained without incident.

After receiving her Miranda warning, the female was interviewed and admitted to removing a container of M30s from the vehicle and placing them in her purse. Search of the purse, the vehicle, and its contents discovered, in total, approximately 645 M30 pills, 24.9 grams of cocaine, 4.03 grams of methamphetamine, and an M16 style .22 rifle. The female was booked for possession of narcotics and a dangerous drug. The male was booked for prohibited possessor and possession of narcotics. Great job getting these dangerous drugs off the street!

Crime Prevention Tip

Recently, the most common targets for auto theft have been Hyundais and Kias. TPD has been urging owners to use preventive measures, such as a steering wheel lock (club), to deter thieves. Another trend is also starting to emerge, targeting newer model GM trucks and large SUVs, Jeeps, and Ram trucks with a push-button start. Thieves are able to use a device that connects with the vehicle's computer through the OBD port (On-Board Diagnostics) and reprograms the vehicle to a new key. There are "OBD port locks" to protect against this, but as the OBD port is generally under the dashboard, and not easily seen until after a thief has broken into the vehicle, a steering wheel lock, which can easily be seen from outside, remains a good deterrent to avoid not just theft, but also damage from attempted theft. We would also like to remind people to remove all valuables, such as wallets, purses, and especially firearms, from their vehicles when they park. We are still seeing too many vehicle larcenies where these types of items are being stolen.

July 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