SAFFORD — Safford Police officers found themselves dealing with people dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues for the most part last week.
On June 2, officers were called to a home on 11th in reference to a possible domestic violence situation. There, officers spoke with a woman who said her son, identified as Matthew Gonzales, had pushed her because she gave him money in denominations different from what he wanted.
The woman said her son is paranoid-schizophrenic and suffered from anger issues. He was taken into custody on charges of assault-domestic violence and disorderly conduct-domestic violence without incident.
On June 3, officers were called to a local hotel for a welfare check on a guest. They found a woman, who identified herself as Ramona Benta, who was anxious and spoke so rapidly she was difficult to understand.
Benta claimed she was in fear because there was a “hit out on her for $100,000,” and Graham County investigators were aware of the situation. The officer said it appeared Benta was under the influence of a stimulant.
During a second call, Benta claimed she saw someone wanted by the FBI. A records check found an outstanding warrant and she was taken into custody. He primary concerns were a number of papers strewn on the hotel bed. Officers gathered the papers into evidence for her.
Also on June 3, officers received multiple calls from a woman who claimed another was trying to start a fight with her. When officers arrived at the home, they found Teresa in what they said appeared to “an altered mental state.” Lyon claimed unknown people were in her attic and using microphones to record her.
Lifeline ambulance was called and she was taken to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for an evaluation.
