SERIAL ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS

Phoenix, AZ (May 29, 2009) - Beginning about the middle of May of this year the Phoenix Police Department Robbery Unit began to identify a series of violent armed robberies which were occurring in the Cactus Park and Desert Horizon police precincts, and in the city of Glendale. The method of operation for the suspects varied from aggravated robberies where the victims were beaten to armed robberies where handguns and a rifle were used.

All of these robberies had two things in common; the suspects were seen either arriving or leaving the scenes in a gold colored Chevrolet HHR (small SUV) and the vehicle was being driven by a much older female. The suspects committing the offenses had been described as being in their early to late teens.

A joint investigation between Phoenix and Glendale detectives, and in conjunction with officers from the Cactus Park Neighborhood Enforcement Team (92X), revealed that Cynthia Roberson was using her own vehicle in the crimes as the “getaway driver”. Cynthia, her two sons (John and Tony) and many of the son’s friends have been identified as suspects in the armed robberies.

Most of the suspects were arrested without incident on 05-29-09 at around 8:45 p.m.; others were arrested previously. Police served a search warrant at Cynthia’s home where several actual and simulated weapons (pellet guns) were discovered.

Phoenix Police believe, at this time, that all suspects related to this group have been identified.

Double Homicide

Phoenix, AZ, (May 29, 2009) -At approximately 12:01 a.m. this morning Phoenix Police Officers responded to a home in the area of 2200 E. Amelia in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival officers learned that Mario Corona Jr. and his friend (witness 2) had been watching television in the home when they heard two gunshots from the bedroom of Mario’s parents. Mario, Jr. went to the bedroom and found his mother and father (Mario, Sr. and Patricia) lying on the bed with gunshot wounds to their heads. A handgun was also found in close proximity.

Upon arrival of Phoenix Fire paramedics, Mario Sr. was pronounced dead at the home. Patricia was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

No family history has been established and I have no further information at this time. This incident remains under investigation.

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SIGN UP TO GET TRAINED & LEARN TO SAVE A LIFE DURING NATIONAL CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK

(May 29, 2009) In December of 2007, Congress declared the first week of June each year as National CPR/AED Awareness Week. The goal of National CPR and AED Awareness Week is to encourage states, cities and towns to establish organized programs that provide CPR and AED trainings and increase public access to AEDs.

Approximately 1,000 people die every day in the United States because they suffered a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. However, death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people react quickly by calling 9-1-1, performing CPR, and using an AED more lives can be saved.

Scottsdale Fire Department began training the public in a new CPR technique called Continuous Chest Compressions (CCC) in July 2008. To date, more than 1,400 people have been trained on how to save the life of a loved one, coworker or stranger in cardiac arrest. This new technique is easy, safe and does not require mouth to mouth contact.

Free 90-minute community presentations on the CCC resuscitation technique will be held:

6 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday, June 3 at Fire Headquarters, 8401 E. Indian School Road
1 – 2:30 pm, Saturday, June 6 at Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th Street
9:30 – 11 am, Saturday, June 13 at Fire Headquarters, 8401 E. Indian School Road
1-2:30 pm, June 27 at La Mirada Desert Park, 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road

Scottsdale Fire Department staff and volunteers will teach participants to respond to a cardiac emergency including important tips for calling 911, performing chest compressions, and how to use an AED. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome.

To sign up, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/CCC-CPR or call (480) 312-8000.

For a complete listing of upcoming community CPR, First Aid and Babysitter certification courses, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/CPRclasses. Pre-registration is required for all certification courses. For more information or to register, call (480) 312-1879.

Two Peoria Police Employees killed in off-duty helicopter crash

On Friday, May 22nd, at about 1:30 pm a private helicopter crashed west
of I17 just south of Black Canyon City killing the two on board. Killed
in the crash were Peoria Police Officer Mike Gauchat and Police Services
Officer Donna Cullum.

"This is a major tragedy for the families involved and for members of
the Department.  Both Mike and Donna are highly respected members of the
Department.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Donna and Mike's families
and the members of our department who are processing this tragic event
while continuing to provide law enforcement services to the community.
Thank you to all of you who have expressed your sympathy." stated Police
Chief Larry Ratcliff.

Killer of Phoenix Police Officer Sentenced To Death

Donald Delahanty, who was found guilty in the murder of Phoenix Police David Uribe has been sentenced to death.  Delahanty was a passenger in a car that was stopped by Uribe.  He fired four shots.  At least three of those shots struck the officer fatally wounding him.  Delahanty, and his friend, who was driving the vehicle drove away from the scene, torched the car they were driving and dismantled the gun.

Six People Die in Five Fatal Collisions Over the Long Memorial Day Weekend

DPS PRESS RELEASE:

Six people lost their lives on Arizona highways during the three day weekend in five separate collisions. The collisions occurred statewide and included the following:

On May 22, 2009, at 8:38 a.m., a tan Cadillac was westbound on Interstate 10 about 12 miles east of Quartzsite when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle went off the road and rolled killing a passenger riding in the vehicle
Passenger-Deceased: Alprentice R. Smith, 37, Pomona, California

On May 24, 2009, at 1:33 a.m., a White Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling southbound on the Loop 303 at milepost six in Litchfield Park when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle went left of center and collided head-on with a semi-truck loaded with produce. The driver of the pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vehicle #1 White Chevrolet pickup truck
Driver- Deceased: Nathan R. Pederson, 33, Avondale

On May 25, 2009, at 9:47 p.m., a grey Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling westbound on Interstate 40 near Holbrook when, for some unknown reason, the vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled, ejecting the passenger riding in the vehicle.
Passenger-deceased: Candice Long, 47, Glendale
Driver-injured: Samuel Long, 44, Glendale/admitted Little Colorado Medical Center

On May 25, 2009, at 3:05 p.m., a Ford Expedition SUV was traveling southbound on Interstate 15 at milepost 26.5 (near the Utah border) when a tire failure contributed to the driver losing control, causing the vehicle to roll in the median. Six people onboard the vehicle were ejected. Ten were transported to Dixie Regional Hospital. A total of 11 people were riding in the van.
Passenger-deceased: Jose Alvarez, 29, Panorama City, California
Driver-uninjured: Martha Anaya, 35, Panorama City, California

*On May 25, 2009, at 9:27 p.m., a wrong way driver traveling southbound on the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 struck an SUV head-on along with three other vehicles. We have two confirmed fatalities from that collision. Identities have not been released pending notification of family.*

Eight Car Accident Snarls Traffic on Hwy 68 Near Bullhead City

On Monday, May 25, 2009 at 1416 The Bullhead Fire Department was dispatched to a multiple vehicle collision near Mc Cormick and Highway 68 under the command of Battalion Chief Don Evans.  Rescue 31 and Engine 31 were first on scene to discover a total of eight vehicles and a semi truck covering over a quarter mile of the highway including two vehicles on fire and the semi on top of an El Camino.  An emergency call went out for additional rescue ambulances.  Patient triage began immediately.  Fortunately, there were no critical patients or patients with life-threatening injuries.  Engine 31 extinguished the two vehicles on fire.

 Most of the eight patients transported to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center were in serious condition.

 Clark County Fire Department from Laughlin, Nevada responded with an Engine and Ambulance along with American Medical Rescue for mutual aid.  Their assistance was paramount.

 The Bullhead City Police Department closed down North bound traffic on Highway 68 and limited South bound traffic to one lane.  This would continue past 1700 hrs.

 The semi lost its brakes striking some vehicles and spinning them into other vehicles.  The semi truck and trailer was carrying 41,000 of corrosive Potassium Siliconate.  The contents of the truck were not disturbed. 

(Photo Courtesy: Bullhead City Fire Department)