Graham County – On June 19, 2018 at approximately 12:19 AM the Graham County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center was notified of a pursuit involving San Carlos Police coming east on U.S. Highway 70 from the Reservation. The vehicle being pursued was reportedly stolen and those in the vehicle were believed to also have been involved in a home invasion involving a stabbing in the San Carlos area.
The vehicle (a Nissan Sedan) was reported to be traveling over 100 MPH and coming into the Pima area. A Graham County Deputy was at the Glen Bar Gin waiting to assist. According to reports the stolen vehicle turned into the Gin and traveled east on a dirt canal road. The vehicle wrecked in a ditch and the suspects ran from the car. Initially, due to the dust caused by the vehicle, the number of suspects and their direction of travel from the accident was unknown. A perimeter and search was initiated.
A Deputy was able to see two suspects running in a field and lay down in a heavily weeded area. An initial search on the ground for the two suspects was unsuccessful. A DPS Ranger helicopter was requested and able to respond. During an aerial search, the two suspects were spotted, again ran and attempted to hide, but were taken into custody and turned over to San Carlos Police.
It was learned that two other suspects were still at large. DOC search members with K-9’s also arrived to assist. A search was continued throughout the evening and into the early afternoon for the two suspects. During the search it was learned from several witnesses that two males had been seen in the area, making their way to the Highway. Based on information from witnesses it was determined the two males most likely were now back in the Bylas area and the search was terminated. The stolen vehicle was recovered.
The names of the four suspects are unknown. The Sheriffs Office expressed appreciation to the Department of Corrections, DPS Ranger, Pima and Safford Police for their assistance in the search and apprehension.
It was reported to the Sheriffs Office later in the day, on June 19, that the two outstanding suspects had been
arrested in Bylas.
