Mule deer buck poached and left to waste in Heber

HEBER — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about the recent poaching of an adult mule deer buck near Heber, Arizona. The mule deer buck was found near Borrow Tank off Forest Road 210 in Game Management Unit 4B. It had been shot with a firearm and left to waste on either Oct. 24 or 25, 2020.

“The public will play a vital role in finding who is responsible,” said AZGFD Wildlife Manager Justin Winter. “This is not the act of a hunter. Poaching is a crime. It is stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona. It is important for anyone with information to come forward and help Game and Fish bring those responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700, or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt, and refer to case #20-003559. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500 from AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Program. All callers are confidential and can remain anonymous upon request.

Manhunt is Being Scaled Back but Efforts to Identify and Locate Suspect Continue

The manhunt for the suspect of the shooting incident that occurred on July 4 near the Canyon Point Campground in Forest Lakes, AZ will be scaled back as of this evening. The manhunt started yesterday and continued last night and through today. Law enforcement teams were unable to locate the suspect. Air and ground teams found no clues to indicate that the suspect is still in the area. The suspect had originally been a person of interest in several brush-fire starts the previous day.

The safety of citizens in the area is still a priority. Although some resources are being withdrawn and reallocated to other assignment needs, law enforcement will continue to have an enhanced presence in the area. Local, state and federal agencies continue to cooperate in this investigation and to work together to identify and locate the suspect. Law enforcement officials will continue to assess the situation and follow up on leads and information that comes available.

The public is asked to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or persons to law enforcement immediately. If you have any information about the crime or the suspect, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888 or Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Search for suspect in Forest Lakes shooting continues

A multi-agency law enforcement team continues to look for the suspect in yesterday’s shooting incident in Forest Lakes, Arizona. Ground and air teams searched the area during the night and early morning in an effort to locate the suspect. Search efforts will continue today in both the forested area as well as through patrols of neighborhoods, businesses, and roadways. There are approximately 45 officers from multiple agencies on scene assisting.

The shooting incident yesterday occurred near Canyon Point Campground located on Hwy 260 milepost 287 approximately 19 miles west of Heber, Arizona, 4.5 miles east of the Rim Visitor Center. The campground remains closed at this time.

The public is reminded to continue to be aware of the situation and to stay out of the area if possible. Please do not pick up hitch hikers and immediately report any suspicious person or activity to law enforcement. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is urged to call law enforcement.

Pavement work on State Route 260 near Young Road toward Heber next week

Crews are scheduled to repair shoulders on State Route 260 on a 10-mile segment (mileposts 284 to 294) starting near Young Road heading eastbound toward Heber next week.

Work hours are Monday through Wednesday, June 8 through 10 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Drivers will be guided through the work zone with flaggers and should expect delays of up to 10 minutes at a time.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.