Daily Archives: March 15, 2017

Rescue of Hikers in Waterholes Canyon

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PAGE – On March 12, 2017 at approximately 8:45 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and its Search and Rescue Unit responded to a report of two overdue hikers in Waterholes Canyon south of Page, AZ. Two male hikers who began their hike into the canyon at approximately 12:00 PM failed to return to their car as expected. Deputies, with the assistance of a Classic Lifeguard helicopter from Page found the hikers in the canyon between two different rappels. The hikers were stranded and were unable to move up or down canyon. They were ill equipped for their hike and did not have adequate clothing, food, or water.

Search and Rescue teams arrived at approximately 12:30 AM and hiked to the rim above the hikers. A supply kit containing warm clothing, food, water, bivouac sack, hot packs, and a radio was lowered to the hikers. It was confirmed by radio conversation that the hikers were not injured but were stranded. Due to onset of darkness and the risk of a nighttime rescue operation, it was determined that further rescue would wait until daylight. Search and Rescue personnel bivouacked on the rim above the hikers location until daylight.

At daylight the Search and Rescue team established artificial anchors and lowered a rescuer to the hikers’ location. One at a time the hikers were raised to the rim of the canyon using a mechanical advantage rope system. Once at the top of the rim the hikers were evaluated; both refused additional medical care. They were then reunited with the rest of their party.

Later that same day, our deputies in Page, AZ assisted Navajo Police Department in rescuing a teenage girl who had been climbing near the same area.

The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers entering northern Arizona canyons to be aware of their surroundings and take the appropriate equipment and clothing for the trip. Some canyons require down climbing or rappelling and hikers should be prepared to ascend sections that they have previously descended. While the temperatures during the day may be warm, once the sun sets, the canyon environment can become cold rapidly. Weather should always be evaluated when entering a canyon. Rain upstream from also can cause dangerous flash flooding in canyons.

Sheriff’s Deputies Recover Remains of Man Believed to be missing since 2007

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Area where body was recovered.

SEDONA – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue Unit has recovered the remains of a man they believe was reported missing out of Sedona in 2007.

February 28, 2017 a hiker in the area of Brins Mesa north of Sedona found some human bones and a weathered shoe in a steep drainage off the mesa. The hike reported the find to the Sheriff’s Office.

March 1, 2017 Sheriff’s deputies and detectives hiked into the drainage and located the human bones, the shoe and some tattered clothing.

Detectives contacted surrounding police agencies and learned that the Sedona Police Department had taken a report in October 2007. At that time 38 year old Sedona resident Paul Ashley was reported missing by his brother. Sedona Police learned that Ashley had sent personal property to his brother with a note stating he was leaving, but did not express any other intentions. Ashley left a similar note with his landlord. Ashley was last seen riding a bicycle away from his home.

During their investigation, Sedona Police received information about a bicycle locked to a tree and possibly abandoned off the Brins Mesa Trail. The bicycle was never located and presumed to have been taken, but Sedona Police and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office believed the bike may have been Ahsley’s. Sedona Police later learned that Ashley had purchased a handgun from a gun dealer in Flagstaff just prior to his disappearance.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit conducted a search in the area on October 25, 2007 and again on November 4, 2007 but did not locate Ashley or the bicycle. Police were never able to authenticate if the bicycle was Ashley’s. No new information was found indicating where Ashely had gone.

The Coconino County Search and Rescue Unit conducted a search in the drainage on Saturday March 11, 2017 and located more bones, clothing and a Glock handgun a short distance down the drainage from where the first bones were found. Detectives were able to verify the serial number of the handgun matched that of the one Ashley purchased shortly before his disappearance.

The remains were taken to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. The cause and manner of death are pending and positive identification of the remains are still being investigated.

26 Year Old Williams Man Arrested for Burglaries in Junipine Estates

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WILLIAMS – Randy Matthew Kyle Herrera was arrested today in connection with at least two burglaries that occurred recently in the Junipine Estates area north of Williams, AZ. Herrera was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility under charges of two counts of Burglary, two counts of Theft, and two counts of Trespass. He is being held on a $100,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing as detectives attempt to identify property connected to other burglaries in the area.

On March 14, 2017 a search warrant was served to search the residence of Randy Herrera. Herrera had been identified as a suspect in a recent burglaries based on ATV tracks left at the scene of one of the recent burglaries as well as property seen at his residence. During the search, items were found that were linked to at least two of the residential burglaries that have happened in the Red Lake area. Herrera made statements linking him to at least two of the burglaries.

Since early 2015, there have been over 30 residential burglaries in north of Williams, AZ. A large number of the burglaries occurred at vacant or vacation homes, but sheds and other structures also were burglarized. Items taken during the burglaries included electronics, jewelry, power tools, firearms, and mail. There also had been several reports of thefts, criminal damage, trespass, and suspicious activity in the area. The Sheriff’s Office held two recent community meetings in the greater Red Lake area to inform residents of the situation and to educate them on how to reduce the chance they may be victimized.

As a reminder to residents, there are steps you can take to help reduce your chances of becoming a victim of burglary or theft. Keep doors, windows, sheds, and vehicles locked at all times. Do not leave any valuables inside vehicles, trailers or truck beds. Work with your neighbors to keep an eye open for suspicious activity. Take photos and/or videos of valuable property, record serial numbers, engrave items that do not have serial numbers for later identification / recovery. If you are the victim, report the crime immediately. Do not touch anything. Be mindful of possible shoe or tire tracks that may provide evidence. Report suspicious activity immediately to your local law enforcement agency: Sheriff’s Office – 911 for emergencies and 1-800-338-7888, option 1 for Dispatch to for non-emergencies, or Silent Witness: 928-774-6111.