Man Blocks Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge in Armored Truck

On June 15, 2018, at about 12:02 p.m., Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers received information that a man armed with a rifle and in an armored vehicle was blocking the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge, which extends over the Colorado River at the Hoover Dam.  The black armored vehicle was parked crossways across the southbound lanes of the bridge, where the Arizona / Nevada state lines meet.  The male suspect was reported outside of the vehicle holding a sign that said, “release the OIG report”.

All lanes of US 93, and the bridge, were closed by AZDPS troopers and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers as a precaution. AZDPS troopers were also assisted by police units from Boulder, Las Vegas Metro, the National Park Service, and Lake Mead. Air support was provided by AZDPS Air Rescue and Las Vegas Metro Police.

At about 12:53 p.m., the armored truck began to move, leaving the bridge and traveling southbound on US 93, failing to yield to law enforcement. At about milepost 5, on US 93, the truck ran over tire deflation devices set out by troopers and three of the truck's tires deflated however, the vehicle continued southbound.

At milepost 9, a roadblock was set up, blocking both the southbound lanes of US 93. As the truck approached milepost 8.5, it turned west on Cranes Nest Road, which is unpaved, and drove towards the Colorado River. Troopers and National Park Service Police followed the truck down the dirt road.

At about 1:28 p.m., the truck came to a stop on the dirt road with troopers and National Park Police behind it. The male driver got out of the truck and was immediately taken into custody without incident. A rifle and handgun were found inside the truck.

The driver, Matthew P. Wright, 30, from Henderson, NV was booked into the Mohave County Jail on the charges of:

-Obstruction of a highway

-Endangerment

-Unlawful flight from law enforcement

-Misconduct involving a weapon

-Terrorist acts

Captain Brian Swanty said, “We are pleased that the partnership and cooperation between all agencies involved resulted in the successful and safe conclusion to this incident.”

The investigation of this incident is ongoing.