Detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Vehicular Crimes Unit (VCU) arrested a Patagonia man in connection with the death of a 37-year-old victim who fell from a pickup truck in Tucson in September 2025.

On March 9, 2026, detectives took Jack Crawford, 52, of Patagonia, AZ, into custody for failure to stop at the scene of an accident involving death.

A lengthy investigation by Southern VCU detectives determined that on September 7, 2025, Michael Stewart, 37, was riding in the bed of a pickup truck driven by Crawford when he fell from the vehicle near State Route 77 and Golder Ranch Road. Stewart sustained fatal injuries and was later found deceased in the roadway by passing motorists. Detectives determined that Crawford did not stop to render aid and never reported the incident to law enforcement.

Through continued investigative work, VCU detectives located Crawford in Patagonia, where he was arrested without incident.

This arrest reflects the persistence of our VCU detectives, whose thorough investigative efforts help provide answers for families and pursue accountability for those responsible for criminal activity.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers and Phoenix Police Department officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting.

At approximately 9:02 p.m., an AZDPS trooper attempted to stop a Chevrolet sedan for a traffic violation. The driver failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. A trooper deployed a Grappler device, bringing the vehicle to a stop on the southbound frontage road west of 19th Avenue.

The driver, identified as 41-year-old Jesus A. Gonzalez Flores, was noncompliant with officers’ commands. During the encounter, officers discharged their firearms, striking Flores. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A machete was later located under the passenger seat of the vehicle.

One Phoenix Police officer and one state trooper were impacted by a vehicle as the driver repeatedly attempted to break the Grappler's tether. A passenger in the vehicle complied with officers and was later released after being interviewed.

The AZDPS Major Incident Division is investigating.

On the morning of Thursday, March 5, 2026, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) state trooper conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a pickup truck for speeding on State Route 95 north of Lake Havasu City. This enforcement action quickly escalated into a significant arrest that removed a wanted violent offender from the community.

During the stop, the front-seat passenger provided the trooper with a false name. When asked for additional identification, the individual became evasive and refused to provide his true identity. The trooper instructed the passenger to step out of the vehicle for further investigation, at which point the suspect began physically resisting. A struggle ensued, and the trooper deployed his Taser, safely subduing and detaining the suspect.

A fingerprint scan identified the suspect as 23-year-old Gilberto Mendez III, the subject of active parole warrants, including one for second-degree murder. Mendez was also wanted by the Bullhead City Police Department in connection with multiple shootings in Bullhead City.

“We thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for their assistance in apprehending this violent suspect, who is believed to be connected to multiple shootings in Bullhead City over the past several months,” said Bullhead City Police Corporal Walter Morales. “This arrest is an important step in holding those responsible accountable and keeping our community safe.”

Mendez was ultimately booked into the Mohave County Jail on his warrants. He faces additional charges, including resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a first responder, and identity theft.

This incident highlights the critical role traffic enforcement plays in protecting Arizona’s communities. Thanks to the trooper’s vigilance and professionalism, a wanted violent offender is no longer in the community.

AZDPS remains committed to providing public safety through proactive enforcement and strong partnerships across the state.

Update - April 8, 2026

 On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at approximately 10:37 p.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) received a report of a shooting on State Route 88 near milepost 203, in the Apache Junction area. A suspect fired a handgun from a vehicle, striking an adult female victim in another vehicle in the head. The victim was treated at a local hospital and later released with non-life-threatening injuries.

An extensive investigation followed, including the execution of a search warrant by AZDPS SWAT personnel at a residence in Mesa. During the search, detectives with the AZDPS Major Crimes Unit (MCU) recovered ammunition and spent shell casings. Continued investigative efforts by MCU detectives ultimately led to the recovery of the firearm used in the assault.

On April 7, 2026, Donald R. Roy, 64, was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on an arrest warrant related to this incident. Charges include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and drive-by shooting. Roy is currently being held on a $750,000 bond.

Preliminary Information - March 6, 2026

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at approximately 10:37 p.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) received a report of a shooting on State Route 88 in the area of milepost 203, near Apache Junction. A suspect fired from a vehicle, striking another vehicle and injuring a woman who sustained a gunshot wound. She was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

The AZDPS Major Crimes Unit is investigating this incident.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Apache Junction Police Department assisted with the response to this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-4AZ-TIPS or submit a tip online at azdps.gov/tips. Please reference incident I26013754.

PHOENIX — At approximately 2:13 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2026, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision near eastbound Interstate 10 and State Route 51. Upon arrival, troopers learned that one of the involved vehicles fled the scene after several of its occupants allegedly held the other party at gunpoint and stole items from their vehicle.

The case was referred to the AZDPS Major Crimes District for follow-up investigation. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified Jeremiah E. Davis and Robert T. Gilbert, both 18-year-old males from Phoenix, along with a juvenile female, as suspects in the armed robbery.

On Feb. 17, 2026, investigators learned that Davis was already in custody at the Maricopa County Jail on unrelated charges, and additional charges of armed robbery were filed in connection with this case. The next day, detectives located and arrested Gilbert for his involvement. On March 3, 2026, a 17-year-old female suspect was also taken into custody on armed robbery charges.

These arrests underscore the AZDPS Major Crimes District’s commitment to thorough investigative work and to ensuring that those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable.

At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) State Gang Task Force located and arrested a suspect wanted on an outstanding warrant for first-degree murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, and burglary.

The suspect, 27-year-old Parketta Allen, of Laveen, was taken into custody by detectives in Phoenix without incident. She was later booked into the Maricopa County Jail, where she is being held on a $1.7 million cash-only bond.

This arrest reflects the State Gang Task Force’s continued commitment to protecting Arizona communities by identifying, locating, and apprehending violent offenders.

The mission of the Arizona State Gang Task Force is, in collaboration with citizens, partnered agencies, and intelligence resources, to suppress criminal gangs and transnational crime.