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This New Year’s Eve, the Phoenix Police Department received the second lowest number of “shots fired calls” between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., in ten years.  It was the second lowest number since the first operation was conducted in 2003. 

This year there were 46 more calls during that time, which was a 13% increase over the previous year.  However, the total was still down 23.4% from two years ago.  Last year, the number of calls was down 53% from the year before the first operation was conducted.  This year, even with the slight increase in calls, the total number received between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. was still down 47% from the year before the operations began.   

Five people were arrested this year for discharging a firearm in the city of Phoenix.  Each of those individuals now faces the possibility of prison, as well as a fine.  In addition, the Phoenix Police Department has NOT received any reports of anyone being injured from random gunfire in the city of Phoenix this New Year’s Eve

Quick Facts

• Cat owner spoke with officer
• Cat owner calls out for cat at 11:30 pm and again at 2:00 am
• Officer’s wife calls Arizona Humane Society
  • Human Society could not safely conduct rescue
  • Human Society stated cat would probably come down on its own
  • Human Society stated cat appeared healthy
• Someone from neighbor’s yard tries to spray cat with water
• Cat owner tries to climb into officer’s yard
• Officers from the Desert Horizon Precinct rescue cat

Media Release

Last night and today a story has been running in the media concerning a Phoenix Police Officer and the rescue of a cat from a tree in his yard.  There is some information that was not presented in the story.  Due to the lack of this information, the department has received negative phone calls and e-mails attacking the officer.  The officer has even had derogatory things written on his sidewalk.  In an effort to set the record straight, here is some information that was not presented. 

On Tuesday, December 23^rd, the owner of the cat contacted his neighbor, who is a Phoenix Police Officer, and told him he was staying with some friends and his cat was in the officer's tree.  The officer said there was nothing he could do and believed the cat would come down on its own. 

Calling to Cat at 2:00 a.m.

Later that night, the officer and his wife were wakened at about 11:30 p.m. to the sound of the cat owner in his yard calling, "Brutus, Brutus.”  The officer"s wife spoke to the man and told him she was trying to sleep and needed to get up early in the morning.  The man stopped calling until approximately 2:00 a.m. in the morning that same night, when the man starting calling again, “Brutus, Brutus.”  This time the family ignored the man. 

Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning, the cat’s owner came back to the officer’s house and said he had called the Arizona Humane Society, but they wouldn’t respond unless the owner of the property called them.  The officer’s wife called the Arizona Humane Society and asked them to respond.  While doing so, the cat’s owner called the Arizona Humane Society, because he didn’t believe the wife was in fact calling them.   

Arizona Humane Society Response

The Arizona Humane Society responded to the scene on Christmas day at approximately 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to rescue the cat.  The officer facilitated their attempt to rescue the cat.  They did not have the resources to safely conduct the rescue of the cat.  The Arizona Humane Society said the cat appeared healthy and they told the officer that the cat would come down on his own if they allowed it to do so.  

The cat’s owner was given the same instructions.  He was told to place food and water out and the cat would come down on its own.  We were told that if the cat owner had followed those instructions, the cat would have come down. 

Hose from Cat Owner's House Sprays Cat with Water

At approximately 4:30 or 5:00 p.m., still on Christmas day, the officer’s wife saw a hose coming over the fence from the neighbor’s house where the cat’s owner lived.  Someone was using the hose to squirt the cat with water, probably trying to get it down from the tree.  Let us re-emphasize this was someone at the cat owner’s house.   

Ladder Over Back Fence

On Monday, December 29^th, at about 1:15 p.m., the officer was in his house preparing to go to bed, because he was working the night shift later that night.  His dog was barking at something in the backyard.  He looked outside and saw a ladder leaned against his back wall and someone was climbing the ladder to his backyard.  Not knowing what was happening, the officer dressed in his pajamas, a T-shirt and his socks, stepped outside of his house about two feet with his gun and badge to find out who or what was coming over his back wall.  

He had no idea who the man was, because the man had not contacted the officer or his family.  The officer told the man that he was there to rescue the cat.  The officer told him to get down because if the man fell he would be liable.   

There was a question raised about the officer’s dog not allowing the cat to come down.  The officer’s dog is a poodle, which is a house dog.  It stays in the house approximately 23 hours each day.  

Police Rescue Cat

This morning at about 9:00 a.m., Phoenix Police Officers from the Desert Horizon Precinct obtained a large ladder and with several officers securing the ladder, one climbed up the ladder and removed the cat from the tree.  Brutus the cat appeared in excellent condition and was returned to its owner. 

When we spoke to the Arizona Humane Society they advised that the officer was very patient and did everything he possibly could to facilitate the rescue of the cat throughout the course of this incident.   

In addition, because of the large amount of attention this story has gained, which garnered complaints, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sent investigators to look at the possibility of animal cruelty.  We spoke with the supervisor, who went to the scene, and he told us that the officer had done absolutely nothing wrong and the cat was fine. 

Hopefully, this information will help everyone understand what actually happened.

On 12/29/08, at approximately 7:57 p.m., officers were responding to an armed robbery at the fast food restaurant at 4741 E McDowell Road.  Witnesses reported that a black male, dressed in dark clothing committed an armed robbery at the restaurant and fled southbound, on foot, along N. 48th Street. 

A Phoenix Police Officer, with 6 years experience, was driving northbound on N. 48th Street to the scene when he saw a black male matching the general description walking southbound on the west side of N. 48th Street.  The officer stopped his marked patrol vehicle, got out and ordered the man to stop.  The suspect began to comply but then suddenly produced a handgun.  The officer fired one time at the suspect.  The suspect then fled into the neighborhood to the west.  Numerous patrol officers, canine officers, and officers from the Special Assignments Unit searched the area for the next two and one half hours before locating the suspect at a residence in the 4700 block of E. Portland Street.  The suspect surrendered without further incident.  No officers, suspects, or others were injured during this incident.

Update regarding last night’s officer involved shooting at 1400 N 48th Street. 

Suspect Identified:  Chandler, Michael  B/M  (DOB 12/03/89) 

Investigators have booked the suspect in last night’s officer involved shooting.  He was booked into Maricopa County Jail for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.  It was determined that this suspect WAS NOT responsible for the armed robbery at 4741 E McDowell Rd. where the original call began.  It is still undetermined why this man chose to produce a handgun when confronted by police.  Investigators are still looking for a B/M, 5’ 7” to 6’ 0” wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt, very long dark shorts, and white shoes with red accents who committed the armed robbery. 
Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents is encouraged to call Silent Witness at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S or (480) T-E-S-T-I-G-O.

At approximately 8:52 pm on 12/28/08, officers responded to a missing child call at a paper recycling yard located at 2550 W. Coronado. Upon officer’s arrival, they were informed that the boyfriend of the child’s mother had forgotten his wallet at work, so he returned to retrieve his wallet. While the boyfriend was looking for his wallet, the 3 year old child along with 5 other children were allowed to play around the plant area when they noticed the child was missing. The boyfriend is an employee of the recycle yard.

Several Phoenix police officers, firefighters, HAZMAT and Rapid response teams with K9 responded to assist with the search and rescue of the child.  This was a labor intensive search conducted by both Police and Fire personnel that took several hours. However, it was a successful search due to the great efforts and team work of both Police and Fire personnel.  

At approximately 3:00 am (12/29/08), Phoenix Police K9 officer and Special Assignment Officers located the child between two large 20 foot bails of paper. The child was not hurt, he was alert and conscious.

On 12/28/08, at Approximately 1:47 pm, patrol officers responded to an unknown trouble at the Carl’s Junior restaurant drive through located at 27th Avenue and Thomas.  When the officers arrived they found the victim lying on the ground suffering from a gun shot wound.  The Victim was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Investigation revealed the victim collapsed in the drive through after running from the attempted armed robbery that was occurring at a travel agency located behind the Carl’s Jr.

Investigator determined that three male suspects were involved, two of the suspects fled in a silver colored mini van and the third suspect ran from the scene.  Officers circulated the area but were not able to locate suspects.

On Saturday morning Patrol officers from the Desert Horizon Precinct were flagged down by a subject stating that he found his friend dead in the house.  When officers went to check on the victim, they found the victim unresponsive and suffered a gun shot wound.

This investigation is still ongoing and a suspect/s has not been located.

Anyone who may have information concerning this incident is encouraged to call the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-6151, or silent witness at (480) witness or (480) “TESTIGO” for Spanish speakers.

Date:                          12/27/08, at approximately 8:25 A.M

 Location:                  1100 E. Sunny slope Lane

Victim:                       Black Male 30-35 years old (NOK not Notified)

Suspect:                   Unknown

At approximately 3:30 PM on 12/27/08, Phoenix Police officers responded to a disturbance call where a subject was threatening with a gun. Upon the officers arrival they began to speak to a female downstairs out side the apartment. While officers were speaking to the female, the suspect noticed that officers had arrived when he stepped out onto the balcony of the apartment. The suspect went back inside the apartment and opened fire at the officers through the windows of the apartment. Several shots were exchanged between the officers and the suspect.

As the suspect continued to fire at officers numerous times, an officer was pinned in area where a sergeant had to extract the officer using a ballistic shield.  As the sergeant walked the officer out to a safe area, the suspect continued shooting at the sergeant and officer.  The shield was struck multiple times from the suspect during the extrication.

Meanwhile, the other officers were strategically located in the perimeter of the apartment building. The suspect continued shooting at the officer through the windows of the apartment as the gun fight continued.

Phoenix Police Special Assignment Unit arrived moments later and were able to gain access into the apartment, where they found the suspect unresponsive lying on the floor.

At this point of the investigation, it is unknown if the gun shot wounds that the suspect sustained were self inflicted or by the shots that were fired by the officers. The five officers that fired their duty weapons in the initial gun fight were not injured.

Suspect:        Joshua Hoyt, 23 years old

The Phoenix Police Department is soliciting help from the community in apprehending a suspect that committed a bank robbery on December 24, 2008.

The suspect entered the Desert Schools Federal Credit Union located at 5555 N. 7th Street, on Wednesday December 24, 2008 at approximately 1:00 pm and presented a demand note stating this is a robbery and to hand over the money. No weapons were seen and the suspect fled the bank on foot. The suspect was described as a white male, 30 to 35 years old, medium build and brown hair.

Anyone who may have seen this individual or may have information concerning this incident Phoenix Police Department  encourages you to call the Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6151 or “SILENT WITNESS” at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S

Bank Robbery Arrest Update
             
On December 24th 2008, the suspect committed a bank robbery at 5555 N 7th Street.  On December 27th, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the suspect phoned police and turned himself in for the crime.  The suspect told police that he had been bragging to acquaintances about the crime and he feared that they would notify police.  The suspect chose to turn himself in before his acquaintances did.  Investigators confirmed the suspect’s involvement in this crime and booked him into Maricopa County Jail for one count of Robbery, a class 4 felony. 

Suspect 1:  Seaver J Schuck  W/M  (DOB 08/05/84)  Age 24
Crime Date and Time: 12/24/08 at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Crime Location:  5555 N 7th Street
 Arrest Date and Time: 12/27/08 at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Arrest Location:  500 W. Osborn Rd

On December 23rd 2008, the Phoenix Police Department Robbery Unit was contacted by members of the Violent Crime Task Force operating in Indianapolis, IN regarding a violent bank robbery suspect believed to have relocated to the Phoenix area.  The suspect was wanted in connection with four bank robberies in the Indianapolis area.  The suspect committed each of these violent robberies while armed with a shotgun.  Officers from the Phoenix Police Department’s Major Offender Bureau located and arrested the suspect at a residence in the 15000 block of N. 27th Street. Detectives completed a search warrant of the residence and located the shotgun believed to be involved in all of the Indianapolis robberies.  The suspect is believed to have been within the Phoenix area for approximately two weeks.  We do not believe he had committed any robberies in the Phoenix area prior to his arrest.  The suspect was booked into the Maricopa County Jail where he is awaiting extradition to Indiana. 

Between 8/30/08 and 11/6/08 the Phoenix Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Bureau Vice Unit conducted an internet crime investigation showing that Dell Vanderschuit was soliciting an undercover officer to have sex with both her and a 10 year old girl for $1500. 

The initial information about the suspect came from a Phoenix “pimp” who was infuriated that this suspect wanted to have sex with a young child.  Subsequently, undercover investigators made contact with the suspect and began the investigation.  On 12/10/08 a warrant was issued for Vanderschuit’s arrest for attempted child prostitution, a class 3 F.

During the course of the investigation Vanderschuit moved to Chico, California from an apartment at 4950 E. Van Buren in Phoenix.  Investigators believed Vanderschuit had in his possession in California evidence material to the case.

The Phoenix Police Vice Unit investigators worked with investigators from the FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, the Phoenix Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. 

The Innocence Lost Task Force put us in contact with the Chico Police Department.  Phoenix Police investigators traveled to Chico on December 19th, 2008.  With assistance from Chico P.D. and the FBI a search warrant was served and evidence was obtained, but the suspect was not there.   

On Christmas Eve, 12/24/08, Vanderschuit was arrested by I.C.E. in a port of entry in San Francisco for the existing arrest warrant, while re-entering the United States after vacationing in Puerto Vallarta.  He now faces extradition back to Arizona

Suspect: Vanderschuit, Dell Rainbow; w/m; 7/08/73
Charges: Attempted Child Prostitution, a class 3 felony

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. today, Phoenix Police officers responded to a call of an unknown trouble in the park at 9300 W. Elwood. When they arrived, they found that two boys, ages 10 and 7 had been found by neighbors in the park at that location and both boys were critically injured. The neighbors and police officers administered first aid until Fire Department personnel arrived and took over. Both boys were transported to a local hospital where they are in extremely critical condition.

Immediately following this incident, Patrol Officers and Supervisors began to go door to door in an attempt to find information to determine what had occurred. While doing so, they contacted Joe Saucedo Gallegos, who seemed nervous. Officers later learned that he had an outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrant for Assault/Failure To Appear. They gave this information to the Investigators and Gallegos was taken into custody.

Subsequent to his arrest for the warrant, physical evidence was obtained, which led Investigators to believe Gallegos was a possible suspect. A search warrant was served at his residence and more physical evidence was obtained, which provided probable cause to charge Gallegos with two counts of Child Abuse/A Dangerous Crime Against Children.

Through the course of this investigation, it was determined that the two victims had gone to the park to play. Gallegos followed them and bludgeoned them about their heads and then went home. The trauma was severe enough that the cause of the victims’ injuries could not readily be determined. After extensive testing by the attending physicians, it was determined that the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma.

Investigators believe that Gallegos acted alone in this vicious attack on these two young boys and there are no outstanding suspects.

Date and Time: 12-23-08, Approximately 1:13 P.M.
Location: 9300 E Elwood

Victim 1: H/M 10 years old
Victim 2: H/M 7 years old

Suspect: Gallegos, Joe Sauceda
H/M 04-19-72
Booked: 2 Counts Child Abuse/A Dangerous Crime Against Children
1 Misdemeanor Warrant for Assault/Failure to Appear

Little Angel must have a heavenly angel—in fact, he must have a whole sleigh full, all who work at the Phoenix Police Department’s Maryvale Precinct! Christmas was looking pretty sad and bleak this year for Angel’s family. His little sister was in the hospital recovering from surgery after being hit by a car when she walking home from school. She was not going to be home for Christmas, but the family was coping. Angel was about to learn a lesson of how giving to others in need can bring enormous joy and hope to those with little or none.

Young Angel was only one of several “adopted” area families who received a surprise visit compliments of Santa’s elves on Tuesday morning, December 23, 2008. Maryvale Precinct officers loaded up gifts they had bought and collected and drove the packed-to-the-brim patrol cars to their planned destinations. The pictures in the accompanying slideshow reflect the surprise and delight of a single mother, her four children, and the mother’s two young siblings as Phoenix officers showered them with nearly more gifts than would fit in the nice but sparsely decorated apartment. One tragedy led to another when the little girl’s mother lost her job during the time her daughter was in intensive care. Three of her children didn’t even have a bed to sleep in, so one of the first things to come through the apartment door of the surprised family was bunk beds!

Smiles lit up the room as photographers and local media captured the happy moments. Tears dampened more than one eye in the room, and when Santa’s “elves” gathered the family for a group photo, the true spirit of the holidays filled the air. All too soon good-byes were being said as the “elves” returned to police work. When this humble photographer stopped to give a hug to the oldest boy, he hugged back not once, but twice, and whispered “thank you so much…Merry Christmas!”

No, dear boy, thank you.

Victim was a passenger in a vehicle that drove down the wrong street

Rudolpho “Rudy” Dominguez Osario, aka Qadir Hodari Al-Amin, 29 (DOB 7/2/79), has been charged in connection to the October 2008 shooting death of a 16-year-old girl who was a passenger in a vehicle that was fired upon in Phoenix after the driver missed his street and was backing up to turn round.

Osario was charged in the December 17, 2008 indictment with Second Degree Murder, a class one dangerous felony, and four counts of Aggravated Assault, a class three dangerous felony.

According to a Phoenix Police probable cause statement, on October 7, 2008, the victim and other passengers were being driven home. The male driver of the Chevy Silverado truck they were in missed a turn and was backing up in the area of Vista Grande Avenue and Hidalgo Avenue in order to continue to the correct street. At this time, several unknown black male suspects fired toward the truck. One of the bullets fired from a SKS assault rifle struck the victim behind the right ear. After being taken to the South Mountain Police Precinct station by the driver, the victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. She was treated for a gunshot wound, but succumbed to her injuries.

During the course of the investigation conducted by Phoenix Police, Osorio was identified as one of the shooters and a search warrant was executed at his home. Thomas states, “I commend the Phoenix Police investigators who did an excellent job during the course of their investigation.”

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris commented, “The murder of 16-year-old Melissa Vigil as she and her friends drove home from a birthday party, was a brutal act of violence that shocked our community. This senseless act united the community, the media and the Phoenix Police Department in an effort to solve this crime. The Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau, Homicide and Gang Enforcement Units, South Mountain Precinct and Laboratory Services Bureau have worked with Maricopa County Adult Probation and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on this investigation. Through interviews, physical evidence and forensic analysis, probable cause was developed to charge Rudy Osorio with this murder. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of Melissa Vigil at this time. The men and women of the Phoenix Police Department are committed to bringing the criminal element to justice as we strive to protect the community and make Phoenix the safest major city in the America.”

UPDATE:
Today, investigators arrested Jose Quintero for the murder of Helen Coulter.  The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma due to multiple injuries related to a physical beating (no weapon involved).

Suspect:
Jose Quintero H/M 8/16/92

Charges:
1st degree murder
Kidnapping
Sexual assault

  
According to investigators, at approximately 12:50 this afternoon, officers responded to the field in the area of 22nd Street and Broadway Rd reference a dead body. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased white female.  Homicide investigators have determined the identity of the victim, but not the cause of death or the motive behind this tragic incident.  

At this time, there is not any further information to release.

Victim: Helen Coulter W/F 39 years old (NOK notified)
Suspect: Unknown

At 8:30 this morning, a 5 year old boy was walking to school in the crosswalk of his apartment complex when he dropped his new, prescription glasses on the ground. As he bent down to pick them up, he was struck by a truck. Fortunately, his injuries were only minor, but his glasses were broken. 

In an effort to help the little boy, the responding patrol officer, Officer Matt Deal, took the child’s glasses to the nearby Lenscrafters to see if he could have them repaired. In the true holiday spirit, Diana Reed from Lenscrafters arranged to have his glasses fixed without any charge

On 12/10/08, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Phoenix Police Officers responded to a one car traffic collision at 4700 W. Osborn Rd.  Investigators have determined that the vehicle was traveling southbound on N. 47th Avenue at a high rate of speed.

The driver failed to stop for a stop sign at W. Osborn Rd. and lost control of the vehicle as it neared a turn in the roadway.  The vehicle left the roadway and collided with a concrete and wooden fence on the west side of N. 47th Avenue.

Two passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene.  One passenger remains critically injured and one passenger and the driver each sustained minor injuries.  Investigators are determining if impairment was a factor in this collision.  

Vehicle:
1999 Ford Crown Victoria

Driver:
H/M, age 18, treated for minor injury

Passenger:
H/M, age 17, treated for minor injury

Passenger:
H/M, age 18, pronounced deceased at scene

Passenger:
H/M, age 17, critically injured

Passenger:
H/M, age 19, pronounced deceased at scene

UPDATE: Last night, 12/09/08, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the victim was located at a valley hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Suspects have not been located.

On 12/08/08, at approximately 11:42 p.m., the two hispanic male suspects forced their way into the victim's apartment at 7125 N 19th Avenue.  Once inside the suspects fired several rounds from a gun.  Witnesses reported seeing the two men forcing the victim into the suspect vehicle.  Investigators found a substantial amount of blood in the victim's bedroom and are concerned that he was injured during the shooting. 

Officers have not been able to locate the victim [see above update] or suspects at the time of this report and are asking for the public's help in locating them.

On 12/09/08, at approximately 8:07 a.m., Phoenix Police Officers responded to 2717 W Carefree Highway. Ms. Hartman-Hill was at that location to drop one of her two children off at day care. When she went into the daycare center, she left her 18 month old child in her running vehicle in the parking lot. The mother returned to the vehicle less than 30 seconds later and saw it being driven out of the parking lot and westbound onto W Carefree Highway. A witness said that as soon as the mother left the car, the suspect got in and drove it away.

Officers located the vehicle, abandoned in the roadway, at 32000 N 24th Dr. a short time later and found the child still in his car seat, unharmed. The child has been reunited with his mother and the suspect has not been located.

Victim 1:
Hartman-Hill, Natalie W/F (DOB 09/02/76)

Victim 2:
18 month old male

Suspect 1:
W/M, approximately 30 years old, described as medium build, six feet tall, a brown goatee, last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Victim Vehicle:
Black 2008 BMW X5

Around 3 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2008, Phoenix Police responded to an armed robbery of a Cricket phone store located near 7th Avenue and Osborn Road in Phoenix.

The suspect threatened a clerk and demanded the cash from the register drawer. The clerk handed over several hundred dollars and then was forced to show the suspect where the store safe was located. The clerk and the store manager showed him the safe and then locked themselves in a storage closet. One of the employees used a cell phone and called police. Officers established a perimeter and made some immediate evacuations of other businesses in the area.

After about an hour, the Special Assignments Unit and a K9 team entered the business and found that the suspect had indeed fled prior to their arrival. There were no reports of injuries to anyone during the incident.

The suspect, who was still outstanding during this report, was described as Hispanic and was wearing a baseball cap, black sweatshirt and blue jeans.

On 12/09/08, at approximately 1:05 a.m., officers in the area of N. Central Ave. and W. Indian School Rd. saw the suspect driving.  The officers recognized the suspect and knew that he had an outstanding arrest warrant.  Officers attempted to stop the car but the suspect fled, first in his vehicle and then on foot, abandoning the vehicle in the area of 1000 W. Camelback Rd.  Officers chased the man as he ran to an apartment at 4811 N. 15th Avenue.  Officers established a perimeter around the apartment and contacted the Special Assignments Unit. 

The Special Assignments Unit responded and after several hours of negotiation, the suspect surrendered without further incident.  The suspect will be booked for his outstanding warrant and investigators are determining if additional charges are appropriate from this morning's incident. 

Date and Time:
12/09/08 at approximately 1:06 a.m.

Location:
4811 N 15th Avenue

Suspect:
Nalhe, Ubalda  I/M  (DOB 07/21/76)

On 09/25/08, at approximately 11:35 p.m., the suspects attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint of money and his vehicle in the area of 1800 E Chipman Rd.  During the attempted armed robbery, one of the suspects shot the victim who then attempted to run away.  McDaniel and Porter chased the victim down and completed the robbery while physically assaulting him.  Porter and McDaniel then fled the area leaving the victim to die in the street.

Investigators were able to discover that the crime was drug related and identify suspects McDaniel and Porter as those responsible for the murder.  Porter was located and arrested on 12/04/08 by gang unit officers in the area of 1600 E Roeser.  McDaniel was arrested leaving the county court building at 201 E Jefferson St. on 12/05/08.

McDaniel had been attending a hearing reference an unrelated homicide for which he was out on bond.  McDaniel had been arrested 02/12/08 for the beating death of his one year old son.  McDaniel was 17 years old at the time of this incident; however, he had been remanded over and is being tried as an adult.  He is still facing 1^st Degree Murder and Child Abuse for this previous homicide. Both McDaniel and Porter have been booked for Armed Robbery and 1st Degree Murder for the incident that occurred on 09/25/08. 

Date and Time:
09/25/08 at approximately 11:35 p.m.

Victim 1:
Williams, Henry Lee  B/M  (DOB 032542 - age 66)

Suspect 1:
Porter, Roger  B/M  (DOB 05/27/89 – age 19)

Suspect 2:
McDaniel, Tyrell  B/M  (DOB 03/07/90 – age 18)  

In 1987, Frank Fernandez kidnapped his 10-month-old daughter along with the girl's mother and her two other children in Phoenix.  He took them to a motel on West Van Buren and eventually left the mother and took the three children.  Sometime later, he abandoned the two children who were not his and fled with his daughter to Mexico. 

Frank gave his daughter to some people who were not members of his family in Mexico.  The 10-month-old girl then spent the next sixteen years of her life living in Mexico with several other families, none of which were related to her.  She was the victim of abuse at the hands of some of those individuals.  She was eventually able to get out on her own when she was about 16-years-old.  During the time she was growing up, the victim only saw her father who kidnapped her about four times. 

In 2006, after marrying and starting her own family, the victim contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was reunited with her mother and family in Phoenix, who she had not seen for 19 years. 

Detectives have been working this case for 21 years and developed information that Frank"s parents, the victim’s grandparents, had known where the victim was and actually visited her on several occasions in Mexico.  This information could have led to the reuniting of the victim and mother, as well as the arrest of the suspect.   However, when detectives interviewed the grandparents, they continually denied knowing where either their granddaughter or Frank was.   

After continued investigation, Detectives were able to gather additional information, which led to the arrests of the victim’s grandparents Espiridion Fernandez and Arminda Barrios.  They were both booked into the Maricopa County jail on 12-04-08 and charged with one count of Criminal Obstruction in this case. 

Frank Fernandez, the victim’s father is still wanted in connection with this case.  Anyone who may have seen this suspect or who may have information concerning his whereabouts, is encouraged to call the Phoenix Police Department Family Investigation Bureau at (602) 534-3200 or "SILENT WITNESS” at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S.  For Spanish, call (480) T-E-S-T-I-G-O. 

Date of Arrests:
12-04-08 

Victim:
Maria (10-months-old, when this incident occurred in 1987)

Suspects:
1. Fernandez, Frank Javier
H/M, 12-03-63 
(Still Outstanding)

2. Fernandez, Espiridion
H/M, 12-14-37
(Booked, One Count, Criminal Obstruction, Class 5 Felony)

3. Barrios, Arminda
H/F, 03-23-40
(Booked, One Count, Criminal Obstruction, Class 5 Felony)

On Saturday evening, November 29th, the victim and two of her friends went to a nightclub in the area of 100 E. Washington Street. At approximately, 2:30am. All three left the club and walked to their cars.  A short time later, the victim, alone in her car,    began driving home via the I10 freeway. For an unknown reason, she exited the freeway at 19th Avenue. As she was driving down the off-ramp, the victim was shot in the stomach by an unknown suspect who was in an unknown vehicle.  The victim then stopped her car and tumbled off of the freeway off-ramp, falling 21 feet to the concrete below.   

Victim:
B/F 28 years old, gunshot wound to stomach/ broken jaw, broken wrists, broken leg (from fall off freeway off-ramp)

Victim’s Vehicle:
Black BMW 525

Suspect:
Unknown

Suspect Vehicle:
Unknown

Anyone with information is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or the Phoenix Police Department at 262-6141.

On 12/02/08, at approximately 1:55 p.m., three to four black males wearing masks entered the single family residence at 1330 N 36th Drive through an open rear door.  At least two of the suspects were armed with handguns.  Once inside, the suspects confronted the occupants and demanded property.  Victim 1 was struck in the head with a hammer.  He was later treated at the scene by the Phoenix Fire Department and released with no immediate follow up care necessary.  An alert neighbor witnessed the activity and phoned police who quickly responded.  The Officers arrived while the suspects were still inside the residence.  According to the victims, the suspects fled out the rear door when they heard the police arrive.   

The Special Assignments Unit and the Canine Unit responded to assist in a search of the neighborhood.  One suspect was quickly taken into custody following a short foot pursuit. Two additional suspects were located during the area search of the neighborhood by the Special Assignments Unit and Canines. 

From the Office of the United States Attorney District of Arizona: A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 12-count superseding indictment against Julio Cesar Feliciano, Jr., 45; Herardo Joaquin Islas, 22; Andrei Ulisses Chavez, 25; and Julie Castillo, 29, all of Phoenix; and Francisco Javier Serrano, 23, a Mexican citizen living in Phoenix, for Armed Bank Robbery, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Bank Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm, and Re-entry after Deportation.

Feliciano and his associates were dubbed the "Wig Bandits" because they wore wigs in most of the robberies. Chavez was arrested on November 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. by the Glendale Police Department. The other four defendants were arrested on August 12, 2008 by Glendale and Phoenix Police Officers in Avondale, Ariz. immediately after an armed bank robbery occurred. All defendants, except for Castillo, have been in custody during the on-going, FBI-lead investigation as they await trial.

The superseding indictment alleges that Feliciano robbed four Phoenix area banks between June 17, 2008 and August 12, 2008, and that he used a gun in each robbery. Serrano is charged with two of those robberies, in addition to illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Islas and Castillo were indicted for their roles in the August 12, 2008 robbery, and Chavez was indicted for his role in a July 3, 2008 robbery that he allegedly committed with Feliciano in Glendale.

A conviction for Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of up to life, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 5 years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, or both, and Re-entry after Deportation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not
bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

The superseding indictment was returned on November 20, 2008 and adds counts 4-12 to the original indictment returned on August 19, 2008. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the superseding indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Glendale Police Department and the Phoenix Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Avondale Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Alison S. Bachus, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.