http://www.azdps.gov/News/ Official press releases from the Public Information Office of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. en-us Government Copyright 2009, azdps.gov. All rights reserved. pio@azdps.gov 60 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:59:39 MST Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=426 A three-day special enforcement detail along Interstate 40 by the DPS Commercial Enforcement bureau June 4th-June 6th resulted in 140 commercial vehicles being placed out of service for mechanical violations. The most significant violations found involved braking systems, tires/wheels and safe loadi... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:21:56 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=425 On June 12, 2013, Arizona DPS Air Rescue assisted the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department with search and rescue in the Chiricahua Mountains southeast of Wilcox. A family of three including a mom and dad and an eight year old child went for an afternoon horseback ride. Even though they had a map, th... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:57:58 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=424 On Tuesday, June 4, 2013, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team working with detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division of DPS served a search warrant at 16830 S. Yellow Court. Inside the home, detectives found more than 100 marijuana plants along with elaborate equipment that indi... Tue, 4 Jun 2013 10:02:12 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=423 Normal 0 0 1 206 1177 9 2 1445 11.1287 The Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will be working together with the city of Phoenix during the funeral processions for Phoenix Firefighter Brad Harper and Phoenix Pol... Fri, 24 May 2013 12:22:22 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=422 In 2012, five people were killed in four separate crashes on our state highways during Memorial Day weekend. Three of the four fatal crashes involved alcohol. DPS encourages drivers to remain sober during their travels so that everyone can enjoy this holiday weekend. A total of 212 crashes occurred ... Thu, 23 May 2013 11:28:57 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=421 From May 20 to June 2, DPS will be focusing on seatbelt compliance throughout the state. The enforcement campaign, “Buckle Up Arizona...It’s the Law”, is funded through the Governors Office of Highway Safety and is a part of a national campaign. GOHS has provided additional funding for extra highway... Fri, 17 May 2013 13:19:28 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=420 On May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM) will be hosting a gang awareness event at the Teleos Preparatory Academy in downtown Phoenix. The goal of this event is to edu... Thu, 16 May 2013 09:21:57 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=419 Those wanting to make a donation to help the family of fallen Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Tim Huffman can go to any branch of the Arizona Federal Credit Union that is affiliated with the Share Branch Network. Arizona Federal Credit UnionAccount #848234 Services for Huffman will be h... Tue, 14 May 2013 09:16:45 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=418 Normal 0 0 1 152 870 7 1 1068 11.1287 Funeral services for fallen Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Tim Huffman will be held in Yuma on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The services will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Yuma Civic Center that is located at 14... Mon, 13 May 2013 15:48:58 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=417 v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 0 1 324 1851 15 3 2273 11.1287 v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);... Fri, 10 May 2013 16:58:47 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=416 On May 9, 2013, a Coconino County grand jury returned indictments against 11 suspects involved in a large and organized methamphetamine and cocaine distribution ring in Northern Arizona. The charges include sale of dangerous drugs, sale of narcotics and sale of prescription drugs. Arizona Department... Fri, 10 May 2013 14:17:52 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=415 On May 6, 2013, at around 5:10 p.m., three Arizona Department of Public Safety officers assigned to District 4 were investigating an injury collision on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8 at milepost 40, about 40 miles east of Yuma. The fire department had requested that the officers close the numb... Tue, 7 May 2013 09:26:41 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=414 Normal 0 0 1 139 795 6 1 976 11.1287 Today, May 1, 2013, the Department of Public Safety’s Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM), along with the FBI Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, served 17 search and arrest warrants in both C... Wed, 1 May 2013 10:38:08 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=413 Starting in late 2012, DPS Criminal Investigations Division detectives began investigating a large and complex criminal syndicate suspected of stealing enormous amounts of copper from the ASARCO mine in Hayden, Arizona. Several copper anodes (blanks) were confiscated from a tractor trailer destined... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:51:32 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=412 On Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 2pm, DPS will have several locations throughout the state dedicated to the prescription drug take-back event hosted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This successful program has seen an increase in participation throughout the previous five events ... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:42:57 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=411 On April 19, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Air Rescue helicopter landed in Paria Canyon to save two hikers. This started April 18 when one of the hikers had become ill. The injured hiker activated his “Personal Locator Beacon” while inside the canyon. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:23:21 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=410 The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), in a partnership with local city, county and state agencies, recently conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation and public outreach event dubbed Operation Desert Thunder. The operation’s enforcement activities were conducted along Interstate 10 ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:03:12 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=409 On April 16, 2013, the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau served two search warrants in the ongoing copper theft investigation involving the ASARCO Hayden mine. The initial investigation began in September 2012 whe... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:53:31 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=408 This week, DPS Air Rescue will be taking part in operation “Angel Thunder”. The $1.75 million exercise includes the US military, over 40 non-military agencies and personnel from 12 allied countries. The military has 87 aircraft, 23 boats, and 2000 personnel involved. DPS will have two aircraft dire... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:35:33 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=407 With the high wind advisories issued by the National Weather Service, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) would like to alert drivers that they may experience blowing dust on the roadways. Dust storms can develop rapidly and are quick moving. If you must travel, make sure to monitor local news st... Mon, 8 Apr 2013 13:25:56 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=406 On Thursday, April 11, 2013, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Barbeque for Champions 2013 will be held at DPS Headquarters 2012 W. Encanto Blvd. in Phoenix. This is the 14th year DPS has held the Special Olympics Barbeque. The event will be held in the north parking lot from 11:00 a.m. to 1:... Fri, 5 Apr 2013 14:05:01 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=405 On March 10, 2013, the DPS Air Rescue Helicopter in Tucson responded to the Tonto Creek area near Punkin Center at the request of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office. A full sized Ford F150 quad cab had been driven into the swollen creek and was reportedly floating down stream with two elderly occupan... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:35:24 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=404 The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been advised that northern Arizona, above 4,000 feet, could receive upwards of 12-14 inches of snow accumulation beginning Friday morning and lasting through Saturday. If you must travel to the high country, please remember to be patient as traffic w... Thu, 7 Mar 2013 12:41:12 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=403 Operation “Southern Shield” was conducted Feb. 27 and 28, 2013, on Interstate 10 from the Maricopa/Pinal County line to the Arizona/ New Mexico Border. Operation “Southern Shield” is a part of the Federal Commercial Vehicle Border Enforcement Program and State Safety Crash Reduction Initiative that... Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:28:14 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=402 Officers with DPS and several other agencies will be enforcing state and federal laws as they relate to commercial vehicles from Casa Grande to the New Mexico border along Interstate 10. This is in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes along Interstate 10 which is a major corridor for commercia... Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:33:42 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=401 The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been advised that northern Arizona, above 5,000 feet, could receive upwards of 6-10 inches of snow accumulation beginning early Wednesday morning and lasting into Wednesday afternoon. In addition, low overnight and morning temperatures are expected ... Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:27:39 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=400 Officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety will be taking part in a DUI task force focusing on the West Valley Friday night. As part of task force operations, officers will be conducting saturation patrols starting at 7 p.m. This task force is being coordinated and funded by the Governo... Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:12:49 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=399 Normal 0 0 1 191 1094 9 2 1343 11.1287 The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been advised that northern Arizona, above 5,000 feet, could receive upwards of 5-10 inches of snow accumulation beginning Monday evening and lasting into Tuesday. In ad... Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:23:28 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=398 On Monday, Jan. 28, North Carolina homicide suspect Chris Huffman was arrested by the Arizona Highway Patrol. Huffman was wanted for a homicide early Friday morning in a south-Charlotte neighborhood. Huffman is accused of shooting an acquaintance several times at the victim’s home in Charlotte. Huff... Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:12:55 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=397 Officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety will be taking part in a DUI task force focusing on the East Valley tonight. As part of task force operations, officers will be conducting saturation patrols starting at 7 p.m. This task force is being coordinated and funded by the Governor’s O... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:16:18 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=396 On Friday, January 18, detectives with the DPS Vehicular Crimes Unit booked Angelica Maria Moreno into jail on several felony charges stemming from a hit-and-run crash involving a stranded vehicle on Interstate 17. The crash occurred on January 15 as Moreno was driving a white pickup truck along Int... Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:06:16 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=395 Updated at 2:22PM MSTAt 9:45 a.m. today, a pickup truck and two semi-trucks were involved in a head-on crash causing the closure of the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 just north of Casa Grande at milepost 184. The collision occurred when a red Ford F250 pickup truck was traveling eastbound... Fri, 4 Jan 2013 10:50:09 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=394 DPS Officer Greg King continues to recover at Flagstaff Medical Center following an incident that occurred on December 19th along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Williams. Officer King was standing at the right rear of his patrol vehicle in the emergency lane directing traffic from an ear... Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:16:08 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=393 Northern Arizona is expected to receive up to eight inches of snow overnight. After last week’s storm, DPS wants to remind drivers to use caution while driving in the snowy conditions. Please limit your travels during this upcoming snowstorm and, if possible, avoid travel all together within the s... Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:43:23 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=392 The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been advised that northern Arizona, above 5,000 feet, could receive upwards of 6-10 inches of snow accumulation beginning Thursday evening and lasting into Friday. In addition, low overnight and morning temperatures are expected to cause a hard fre... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:57:42 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=391 With the snow season quickly approaching, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Phoenix Fire Department invite you to attend a unique media event where you can get a first-hand look at how crashes can occur in adverse weather. The media event will also provide strategies and tips for poor w... Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:01:43 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=390 Ricardo Castro, 35, from Goodyear, Arizona, was arrested by detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Vehicle Crimes Unit today in connection with the multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 10 near Watson Road last Wednesday. Castro was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office ... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:28:48 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=389 Normal 0 0 1 168 959 7 1 1177 11.1282 Throughout this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which will be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be focusing their efforts on driving behaviors that can lead to crash... Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:53:59 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=388 Just after 11 p.m. last night, a Honda Accord was involved in a serious injury crash on Interstate 10 near Watson Road. A 35-year-old male was driving with his wife, mother-in-law, and daughter eastbound near Watson Road when an argument broke out. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and... Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:56:51 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=387 Since the first of this year there have been 221 fatal collisions on Arizona’s interstates and highways. This number is almost identical to numbers reported for this same time period in 2011 (220). Holding the line on the number of fatal collisions is somewhat of a victory in itself as Arizona’s hi... Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:16:48 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=386 On Sept. 27, 2012 the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Southern Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit conducted a criminal investigation regarding copper theft from the ASARCO Mining Corporation in Hayden, Ariz. A commercial vehicle traffic stop was conducted on Interstate 10 near Milepost 2... Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:08:42 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=385 For the entire day of Friday, November 2, 2012, the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division will join seven other states in an enforcement program focusing on the use of seatbelts. While the promotion of seatbelt use is a priority statewide; tomorrow, specific attentio... Thu, 1 Nov 2012 15:42:12 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=384 On Sunday Oct. 28, 2012, at approximately 8:28 a.m. a DPS Highway Patrol officer was northbound on State Route 347 when he attempted to stop a Ford F-150 pickup truck for speeding. At that time a Nissan pickup truck came up quickly behind the DPS Patrol vehicle and attempted to ram it. The officer ... Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:47:19 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=383 Shayne Skougard, 32, from North Las Vegas, Nevada, has been identified as the semi-truck driver who was hauling an oversized load that struck the Jefferson overpass on Interstate 17 in Phoenix on Oct. 4. With the help of the public, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was able to piece together th... Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:05:31 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=382 Just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, a large commercial truck carrying what is believed to be a crane was traveling southbound on Interstate 17 and struck the overpass at Jefferson Road. The large commercial truck stopped briefly just past the overpass but soon fled the scene. The damage to the ... Thu, 4 Oct 2012 13:16:24 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=381 Detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the LaPaz County Narcotics Task Force, discovered a large and sophisticated marijuana field near Wenden, Ariz., early Tuesday morning. Approximately 4,500 marijua... Wed, 3 Oct 2012 08:54:07 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=380 On September 27, 2012, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Southern Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, conducted a criminal investigation regarding copper theft from the ASARCO Mining Corporation in Hayden, Arizona. A commercial vehicle traffic stop was conducted on Interstate 10 near Mile po... Tue, 2 Oct 2012 14:45:33 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=379 This Saturday, Sept. 29, is a chance for Arizonans to clean out their medicine cabinets of old, unwanted, potentially harmful drugs. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, Arizonans will be able to drop off their expired, unused or unwanted pills at sites across the state free of charge and no questions... Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:49:43 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=378 Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Robert Halliday has expressed his deep sorrow upon learning of the passing of long-time Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever. “On behalf of DPS, I just wanted to extend our sincere condolences to the Dever family along with the men and women of the Cochis... Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:15:38 MST http://www.azdps.gov/RSS/View/?r=/Media/News/View/?p=377 At 1130 this morning, a semi-truck carrying oil rolled over on State Route 87 at milepost 228, 30 miles south of Payson. The oil, used to make asphalt, spilled into northbound lanes, southbound lanes and the immediate area surrounding the crash. DPS and ADOT Hazmat crews are working on the clean up ... Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:38:17 MST