THATCHER – An attempt to serve an arrest warrant turned into a barricade situation that ended with the suspect in custody.
Thatcher Police obtained the warrant for Robert “Bobby” Merino, 35, who was staying in a travel trailer behind a home on Woods Avenue, and officers attempted to serve the warrant at about 2 a.m. Saturday, May 20.
Safford Police and Graham County Sheriff’s Office assisted, and Safford Police deployed its MRAP armored vehicle to provide cover for the officers.
Officers breached the trailer after more than four hours of negotiating with Merino to surrender. Merino was taken into custody without further incident and, due to his appearance of being under the influence of an unknown substance, was transported to MGRC for evaluation before being booked into Graham County Jail.
A second warrant to search the trailer was obtained and officers discovered several firearms and ammunition, an undisclosed amount and type of controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia.
Merino is facing drug and weapons charges and the outstanding warrant.
“I want to thank Safford and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this matter,” Thatcher Police Chief Shaffen Woods said in a prepared release. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation from residents in the area that helped us keep this situation safe for everyone.”
