Category Archives: Flagstaff Police Department

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Grant Awards FY 24

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FLAGSTAFF – The Flagstaff Police Department is pleased to inform the public we received grant funding in fiscal year 2024 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) to support saturation patrols for impaired drivers and for underage alcohol consumption violations. In addition, we received grant funding toward the purchase of software programs to assist the Flagstaff Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Team with scene documentation. This software will assist in providing to scale measurements and making precise scene overlays for accident scenes as well as photogrammetry software that will generate survey grade 2D maps and 3D models from ground or aerial images captured by our Skydio drones. These software programs will cut down on the time spent on scene and the time the City of Flagstaff roadways need to be closed for accident investigations.

For additional information, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414.

Flagstaff and Winslow Police arrest bank robbery suspect

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 12, 2024, the Flagstaff Police Department in cooperation with Detectives from the Winslow Police Department were able to arrest George Villas, 33, of Flagstaff in connection with the three local bank robberies over that past two months. Villas is also believed to be involved in an attempted bank robbery that occurred in Winslow, Arizona on January 8, 2024.

This investigation is still ongoing. If you have any additional information regarding this investigation, you are urged to contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-1414 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Weekend pedestrian accident in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – On April 8th, 2023, at approximately 8:27 pm The Flagstaff Police Department received a call regarding a pedestrian versus a vehicle crash at N Highway 89 and N Cummings St.

Flagstaff Police Department Patrol responded to find the pedestrian, Clinton Brown of Louisiana, had been struck by a vehicle. Life saving measures were performed on Mr. Brown by medical personnel. At approximately 8:57 hours Mr. Brown was pronounced deceased.

The driver of the vehicle stayed on scene and was cooperative with law enforcement and the investigation.

It was reported by witnesses that the vehicle was traveling northbound approaching the intersection in the number three lane, closest to the sidewalk, when the crash occurred. The witnesses advised the vehicle had the green light to proceed through the intersection. It was reported that Mr. Brown was not in a cross walk and was crossing the road from the west.

Detectives, the Collision Reconstruction Team, and the Coconino Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to investigate the crash. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Attempted armed robbery in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – On April 5th, 2023, at approximately 1:47 pm a male entered the Swift Travel Center located at 3099 W Shamrell Blvd. Once inside the male attempted to purchase dog food. He handed the clerk money and when the money drawer was opened, he had a handgun at his waist and demanded money. The suspect left without receiving any money. He fled in a vehicle southbound on I17. He was described as a white male with face tattoos and driving a blue Dodge Durango.

Flagstaff Police Department Patrol Officers arrived on scene, obtained a description and Dispatch placed an attempt to locate out to local agencies. The Criminal Investigations Unit responded and processed the scene for evidence.

Coconino County Deputies responded to the Chevron in Munds Park, after receiving a phone call from the Clerk that they had just been robbed at gunpoint. The Clerk advised the Suspect had left the scene and left south bound on interstate 17 from Munds Park.

Responding Deputies were given a description from the clerk of the suspect and the suspect vehicle. The Clerk described the Suspect as a male wearing a black sweatshirt with white writing on the sleeve, a red Angel’s ball cap, and a black mask over his face. The Vehicle was described as a Black or dark colored Dodge Durango with a Colorado license plate.

While Deputies were responding to the Munds Park Chevron an attempt to locate was put out Department of Public Safety and other agencies south along Interstate 17.

At approximately 2:33 PM, Department of Public Safety Troopers observed a vehicle matching the description of the Armed Robber traveling southbound on Interstate 17 at Mile Post 275 in Yavapai County. State Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit was ended after the use of Stop Sticks brought the vehicle to a stop on I-17 in the Camp Verde Area at Mile Post 278. The suspect was identified as Christopher Williams, a 39-year-old male out of Westminster, Colorado. Williams was taken into custody and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on several felony charges.

This matter is currently under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Department of Public Safety and the Flagstaff Police Department for their assistance in this incident and bringing it to a safe conclusion.

Coconino High School shelter-in-place ordered

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FLAGSTAFF – On March 21st, 2023, Coconino High School (CHS) was placed in a shelter in place at the school’s administrator’s direction. The Flagstaff Police Department responded to the campus due to a report of public safety issue outside of the school building.
The school continued to operate as usual with learning continuing in the building. The shelter in place lasted for approximately 15 minutes and has since been lifted.
A shelter in place is initiated when the potential threat is outside of the school building and staff needs to stay inside the building for safety.
Flagstaff Police Criminal Investigation and patrol personnel remain on the campus while this investigation is on-going and for safety purposes. There are no current on-going threats at the school.
For additional information, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414.

Missouri man shot after threatening officers with a screwdriver

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FLAGSTAFF — At 0530 on September 7th, there was an Officer involved shooting at the intersection of North Highway 89 and Cummings Street. The shooting resulted in the death of one adult male who was identified as 51-year-old Donald Wayne Henry of Missouri.

The Flagstaff Police responded to a call of a male subject breaking a gas station window and entering the business taking items from the store. At the same time the Sheriff’s Office received a call for a subject threatening to stab people with a knife in the same area at a nearby business.

When the FPD Officer arrived, he contacted the man in the middle of the intersection. The male subject produced a screwdriver and advanced towards the officer in a threatening manner. The officer drew his Taser and the male then fled on foot.

CCSO Deputies arrived and assisted the Officer. The man refused multiple commands to stop and to drop the screwdriver. He fled from the officers and ran across the road. The Officer and Deputies followed him and surrounded him. More verbal commands were given, which the man refused to comply with.

The male once again brandished the screwdriver and threatened the Deputy by charging towards him. The Deputy ultimately had to resort to deadly force to stop the threat as he was being charged. The FPD Officer fired his Taser at the same time the shots were fired by the Deputy.

Body camera footage and still photos have been uploaded to the FPD Transparency webpage at: https://fpdtransparency.com.

Flagstaff Police investigate suspicious death

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FLAGSTAFF –- The Flagstaff Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is investigating an incident involving a suspicious death. On Thursday September 1, 2022, at approximately 11:00 PM, Flagstaff Police officers on patrol located a male lying on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant located in the 3600 block of E Route 66. When they stopped to check on the male, he was found to have significant facial injuries and head trauma. The male was breathing; however, he was not responsive to officers as they attempted to determine how the male sustained his injuries.

Medics were called to the location and provided emergency medical care for the man, subsequently transporting him to the Flagstaff Medical Center for further emergency medical care. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the male succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased. The deceased male has been identified as 35 year old Donovan Young of Chinle, AZ. The manner of death is still pending further investigation.

If anyone in the community has information that may assist with this investigation, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (928) 774-1414, or Detective Hansen at (928) 679-4021 mhansen@flagstaffaz.gov. You can also call Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111.

Flagstaff police seek help in hit and run collision

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FLAGSTAFF – On the 23rd of August, 2022, at approximately 8:30 PM, a truck was involved in a hit and run collision with a motorcycle, near the intersection of S Milton Rd and Mikes Pike Street in Flagstaff. The motorcyclist sustained injuries from the collision and was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

The truck is described as a white in color, 2 door Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell on the back. The vehicle was last scene turning West onto Tucson Avenue and into the Plaza Vieja neighborhood of Flagstaff.

Please contact Detective Joseph Gilbert by phone at (928) 679-4120 or by email at jdgilbert@flagstaffaz.gov with any information related to the truck or this collision.

Pedestrian killed in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – On August 3rd at about 9:30 PM, a fatal collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian occurred in the 2000 block of east Butler Avenue near the Motel 6. 56 year old Kee Begay of Flagstaff was attempting to cross the street and was struck by a vehicle. Police medical personnel arrived on scene. Responding officers called for Detectives as well as the Accident Reconstruction Team. Kee was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.

The driver remained on scene until police arrived. He then performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and there were no apparent signs of impairment. Speed does not appear to have been a factor in this collision.

Fatal Collision Between a Motorcycle and a Tractor Trailer

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FLAGSTAFF – On August 4th at about 9:40 AM, a fatal collision occurred between a Motorcycle and a Tractor Trailer. The collision occurred as both vehicles were exiting the Interstate 40 freeway and making a left turn onto westbound Country Club Drive. While making the turn the motorcycle was struck by the back of the turning truck’s trailer. The motorcycle was being operated by 49 year old Sheri Gustafson of Phoenix. Sheri was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver remained on scene until police arrived. Officers and medical personnel arrived on scene. Detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Team were called the scene as well. The truck driver was transported to the Flagstaff Police Department for tests, where he exhibited no signs of impairment. The investigation is ongoing at this time.