MESA, Ariz. — A man was arrested Thursday in Mesa after a crime spree that started with a stolen golf cart and armed robbery and ended in a rollover crash and a short police chase.
Deputies with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office responded to the armed robbery at 6 a.m. Thursday morning at a business near Crismon Road and Apache Trail, east of Apache Junction. Officials said a man and woman arrived at the business in a stolen golf cart and armed with an "AR-style rifle." The man broke into the occupied business and fired several rounds, officials said, before fleeing the scene.
The golf cart was later found dumped near University Drive and Signal Butte Road.
While officers processed the two scenes, they received a call about the man attempting to break into a home while firing shots at the residence near Crismon Road and University Drive. Officers arrived in time to see the man take off running before he stole a car, officials said. While fleeing deputies, the man crashed into another car near Hawes and McKellips roads. He then, again, fled the scene on foot, officials said.
"Mesa PD and deputies located the suspect in the wash area to the north of the crash and safely took the suspect into custody," Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, Public Information Officer for MCSO, said. "Currently, there are no known safety concerns to the public stemming from this incident."
The man was taken to a hospital to be checked out after the crash, officials said.
"This individual showed extreme violence with his actions jeopardizing the safety of our community," Enriquez said. "This was an outstanding job by all law enforcement involved bringing this volatile situation to a peaceful ending."
No injuries to law enforcement or civilians were reported. The suspect, identified as Thomas Zavala, was booked into jail and is facing up to 11 felony counts for armed robbery, burglary, criminal damage, and disorderly conduct.
Zavala allegedly admitted to some of the crimes, MCSO said. The female suspect's involvement in Thursday's incident is still under investigation.
All together the crime spree and manhunt lasted eight hours. Residents nearby were told to lock their doors and stay inside as police searched for the suspect.
Frank Tune, who lives in the area, said he was out for lunch when he learned what was happening. His thoughts immediately turned to his family who were home at the time.
"When you got kids at home with a wife it’s just nerve-wracking having someone like that on the loose,” Tune said.
Tune raced back home to be with his family. He said he told his wife to lock the doors and take the kids upstairs.
“I had my phone ready to call 911 and she had hers ready just in the event he hopped in the backyard or something like that,” he said.
Everyone is thankful no one was hurt during the situation.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Sospechoso en custodia tras búsqueda en Mesa
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