Suspect In Southern California Murder Apprehended in Phoenix | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • The Colonel
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Services Center
        • Claim Personal Property
        • Concealed Weapons & Permits
        • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
        • File a Commendation
        • Household Goods Enforcement
        • Missing Children Search
        • Sex Offender Compliance
        • Tow Truck Application
      • Public Services Portal
        • Fingerprint Clearance Card
        • Licensing
        • Records Request
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJ
      • Tow Program
      • SWIC
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
      • Budget Request
      • Holiday Enforcement Figures
      • Strategic Plans
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • News
    • AZDPS News
    • Digest Blog
    • AZDPS Alerts System
      • Amber Alerts
      • Blue Alerts
      • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Public Affairs Unit
  • Safety
    • AZDPS Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Safety Corridors
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Suspect In Southern California Murder Apprehended in Phoenix

Public Affairs

 

Subscribe to AZDPS News Releases
Contact the Public Affairs Unit 
Submit a Tip 

Suspect In Southern California Murder Apprehended in Phoenix

The suspect was taken into custody at a local motel
Friday, September 21, 2018
- For Immediate Release -

Phoenix — On Wednesday, September 12, at about 9:17 a.m., Via’a Alaimalo, 25, from California was taken into custody by detectives with the Arizona Border Strike Force (BSF) Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) in the area of McDowell and 52nd  Dr. in Phoenix. Alaimalo had an active felony warrant for a homicide that occurred in San Bernardino County, CA.

 

At about 7:15 a.m., detectives with the VTTF located a Ford Explorer in the parking lot of a local area motel that had been used in a homicide in San Bernardino County. VTTF detectives contacted detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and received a description of the suspect associated with the homicide. Using that description, the VTTF detectives were able to identify Alaimalo walking outside of the motel.

 

With the assistance of AZDPS Fugitive Task Force detectives and members of the AZDPS SWAT team, Alaimalo was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest he was found in possession of a .25 caliber handgun and a small amount of black tar heroin. Detectives and a crime scene investigator from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department traveled to Phoenix to assist in the investigation.

 

Alaimalo was booked into the Maricopa County jail for the confirmed homicide warrant and in awaiting his extradition hearing.

 

Captain P. Etnire, BSF VTTF Commander, said, “Our dedicated VTTF detective, coordinating resources from AZDPS with detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, led to the successful result of having the suspect taken into custody and preserving valuable evidence for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department case detectives. Criminals may think their chances of being apprehended are reduced when they cross jurisdictions, but we know by working together in a collaborative effort we can safeguard and protect our communities.”

 

The ultimate goal in the creation of the Arizona Border Strike Force is to deter, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations that breach the border in their quest to conduct criminal activity in our state. Specific units within the Border Strike Force Bureau include the Canine District, the Southern Investigations District, and the Vehicle Theft District.

 

For additional information related to the homicide, please contact the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is a state-level law enforcement agency whose mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity and providing vital support to the State of Arizona and its citizens.

file-76.jpg

Alaimalo
Contact Us: 
[email protected]
###
Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Social Media User Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU