Category Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

Evacuation Warning Lifted for Residents due to the Indian Meadows Fire

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VALLE – On April 23rd, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued Evacuation warnings for the Woodland Ranch Area near Valle Arizona due to a quick spreading wild fire.
As of 7:30 p.m., the Evacuation for the Indian Meadows Fire/Lateral Fire was be lifted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. All Residents will be allowed back into their homes.

Current investigation indicates the fire was started by a resident of Woodland Ranch Road who was burning yard trimmings when the fire went out of control. Updated information shows the fire to have burned approximately 100 acres, one unoccupied residential structure, multiple vehicles and several out buildings. This is the second fire this month started by residents burning. The Copley fire in Winona was started by a resident burning. Even if you have a permit to burn, you are still must burn responsibly. If you are burning and fire becomes uncontrollable, call 911 immediately. Do not try to fight it yourself.

Fire and Law enforcement units will continue to work and investigate throughout the night and into the morning. Coconino County Emergency Management along with the American Red Cross have set up a shelter for those displaced from their homes in Williams Arizona at 636 S. 7th Street.

Possible Missing person out of Buckeye AZ located in Horseshoe bend

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PAGE – On April 22, 2018 at approximately 2:13 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend Parking lot in response to a possible missing person out of Buckeye, Arizona. Family members of the missing person located the missing persons vehicle in the parking lot and notified the Page Police Department.

Search efforts, with additional assistance from National Park Service Rangers, located what is believed to be the missing person deceased at the bottom of the Horseshoe Bend at about 3:22 p.m.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter and Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies made their way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers made access from the River side. The body was transported by short haul to the top of the rim.

The case is still under investigation pending a positive Identification of the body by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Coconino Sheriff’s Arrests 70-Year-Old Suspect for Child Molestation

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FLAGSTAFF – On April 6, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office arrested 70-year-old Jesse Bernard Watkins, III on three counts of child molestation of a child under 15 years of age.

Investigators learned that Watkins met the victim’s family when he was volunteering for a juvenile rehabilitation facility in the Prescott area. Watkins traveled to Flagstaff, visiting the victim’s family several times before the acts occurred.

Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to contact Sergeant Larry Thomas of the Criminal Investigations Division at 1-800-338-7888.

Carin Lamprakes and Kim McGowan found

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FLAGSTAFF – The Attempt to Locate for the two women who were reported as missing persons by their families Carin Lamprakes and Kim McGowan has been cancelled. An Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper came in contact with the two women in the greater Phoenix area. Nothing was found to be suspicious or to lead officers to believe they were endangered. The families of the women have been notified. The women have asked that their privacy be respected. Thank you to the public for your assistance in attempting to locate these women so that their welfare could be confirmed. They are no longer listed as missing persons.

Coconino County S.O. Locates Missing 9 year old

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 25th at 1:15 p.m. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a missing 9-year-old girl. Deputies along with Search and Rescue responded to Elk Meadows area South East of Flagstaff and conducted Search efforts. The Missing 9-year-old was located at approximately 7:00 p.m., cold but apparently in good condition

Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue along with Sheriff’s deputies and Family members conducted search efforts for Cheyenne Reynolds a 9-year-old girl who was up from the Phoenix area with family at their Cabin in the Elk Meadows Area. Cheyenne was last seen by her friends at approximately 12:00 p.m. Cheyenne had gotten separated from her friends after heading back to the cabin from a hike.

Search efforts included Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Scent and Tracking dogs, Ground Trackers, CCSO ATV’s, Department of Public Safety Helicopter, CCSO Patrol units, Family members on ATV’s and foot.

At Approximately 7:00 p.m. Cheyenne was located by a Family Member on a ATV miles from the cabin. Cheyenne was cold from falling in some water and is being evaluated for any other injuries.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Public and other Agencies for their calls to assist in this urgent matter.

Photo of missing persons released by Sheriff’s Office

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The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of Carin Lamprakes reported missing by her sister on March 22nd. It is believed that Lamprakes was camping in the Flagstaff area with a friend by the name of Kim Louise McGowan, also pictured. Her sister has not heard from her in three-weeks.

The Sheriff’s office is looking for a white 2007 Chrysler Pacifica 4 door SUV with Arizona plate CEF6957 in the Flagstaff area.

Please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s at (928) 774-4523 should you have any information on her whereabouts. You may also call Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111 or visit their website.

Coconino County S.O. is attempting to locate a missing endangered 51 year old female

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 22nd, the Coconino County Sheriffs Office recieved a missing persons report on Carin Lamprakes, who reportedly was camping around the flagstaff area.

Lamprakes was reported missing by her sister on March 22nd, 2018. It is believed she is camping in her vehicle a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica 4 door SUV, white in color , with AZ plate CEF6957 some where in or around the Flagstaff area. Her sister has not heard from her for over 3 weeks.

Lamprakes is camping with another individual by the name of Kim Louise McGowan. They have 2 small dogs with them . Lamprakes has ongoing medical issues which raises health issue concerns . It is possible Lamprakes may be camping in a Campgournd or in a wooded area around Flagstaff.

We are asking for the publics help in locating Lamprakes . Please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s at (928) 774-4523 should you have any information on her whereabouts. Pictures will be made available as soon as they are obtained .

Recent Inclement Weather Good Reminder to be Prepared for Outdoor Recreation

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On Thursday, March 15, 2018 at approximately 5:45 PM, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received three calls for service for Search and Rescue events: one involving an overdue hiker in Sedona, another involving an injured hiker with a broken ankle also in Sedona, and the third was for stranded motorists on Forest Service Road #535 south of Flagstaff.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the overdue hiker with personnel from the Search and Rescue Unit. The Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue responded to assist with the search. Simultaneously, additional Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel responded to the West Fork Trail with Sedona Fire District personnel to rescue the injured hiker, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist the stranded motorists on Forest Service Road #535.

At approximately 7:00 PM, the overdue hiker was spotted on the trail returning to her vehicle. Deputies learned the overdue hiker became temporarily lost due to inclement weather and she did not require medical attention.

At approximately 08:45 PM, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the stranded motorists in good condition. They transported the family of four, including two small children, to a local hotel in Flagstaff.

At approximately 9:30 PM, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel assisted Sedona Fire in transporting the person reported as an injured hiker approximately three miles back to the trailhead. The injured hiker was subsequently transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center in Sedona for an ankle injury

The Sheriff’s Office thanks all of the agencies that were involved in these search and rescue efforts.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of outdoor recreation safety messages. The sudden change in weather was a factor in these incidents. Northern Arizona is expecting additional inclement this weekend. Remember to check the forecast for the surrounding areas before you venture on your recreational activities. Don’t rely on your cell phone alone for emergency situations.

Remember the “Ten Essentials”

  • Extra water
  • Extra food
  • Extra clothing for the conditions
  • Navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS)
  • Headlamp/Flashlight
  • First Aid Kit
  • Shelter material (such as space blanket or large leaf bag)
  • Fire starting kit (when fire danger is high be extremely careful with fire)
  • Pocket knife / multi-tool
  • Signaling tools (whistle/signal mirror)

Coconino County Sheriff warns against phone scams in the area

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FLAGSTAFF – Every few months, scammers re-try their tactics within a community they’ve already hit. Recent reports to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office include receiving a phone call from what the caller ID shows as a local phone number. The person initiating the call fraudulently represents themselves as from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The most recent scam the caller says you need to personally appear at the Sheriff’s Office. Don’t fall victim. Do some research and follow up directly with the agency the scammer claims to represent—do not call back the phone number the suspicious phone call came from.

In most cases, the caller eventually uses scare tactics to compel the person to make a payment for a ticket or warrant that does not exist. The caller may request that you use green dot or a similar a pre-paid card, wire transfer or other means. Sometimes scammers ask for a monetary donation (such as for a fraternal order or police). Others scams include people fraudulently representing themselves as utility companies threatening to shut off services if you do not make immediate payment through a green dot card or some other nontraditional utility payment.

These scammers also make you believe they are legitimate because they have personal information about you. Remember that there are many websites and publicly available databases that unfortunately make your personal information easily accessible to anyone.

Please be aware that scammers can spoof phone numbers and caller ID information to make their scam appear to be from a legitimate source. They may even pretend to be someone who actually works for our agency by using a legitimate employee’s name. If you suspect a call is fraudulent, hang up and call our office. The most recent scam phone number reported is 928-318-8755 and a person with a southern accent calling.

Sheriff’s Office Investigating a 2 vehicle Head on Collision

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Leupp Road Az – On March 3rd, at approximately 8:04 a.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to Leupp Road, Mile Post 438 for the report of a 2 vehicle head on Collision, with multiple injuries. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, along with Summit Fire Department, Guardian Ground and Air units, responded and treated 5 Victims. 1 victim was transported by Helicopter and 4 by Ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center.

At this time Leupp road is reduced to one lane at Mile Post 438. Residents and travelers can expect delays and a 1 lane closure for most of the day. The cause of accident is under investigation at this time. More details will follow as they become available.