Category Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

Sheriff’s office seeks information on missing person

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640-cynthia-wilderFLAGSTAFF – County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives are requesting assistance from the community in locating sixty one year-old Cynthia Wilder of Flagstaff, Arizona who was last seen at 5:00 am today at her home located in the Timberline Neighborhood.

Ms. Wilder reportedly suffers from Dementia and at times becomes very confused and disoriented.

Cynthia Wilder is described as a sixty one year old white female approximately 5’1” in height and weighing approximately 105 pounds. She has blue eyes and red/gray hair and wears
prescription glasses. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown sweater with thin blue stripes, Sorel type snow boots and a light brown Shearling type coat with a white lamb’s wool lining.

Community members who believe they may have information regarding Cynthia Wilder’s whereabouts or information regarding her disappearance are urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888. A photograph of Ms. Wilder is attached to this message.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Emergency Management Present Community Emergency Response Team Training

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coco-sheriff-300pxThe Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Emergency Management Division will present a (three) day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station located at 6593 High Country Lane off of Highway 64. More than fifty CERT classes have been delivered to urban, rural and reservation communities throughout Coconino County.

The class will be held at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station beginning Friday, January 23, 2015 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday January 25, 2015 from 8 am to 5 pm. This training session is offered to all community members free of charge.

CERT Classes are offered by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and upon successful completion each participant will receive a Community Emergency Response Basic Certification and a back pack containing basic community emergency first responder gear to include Reflective Vest, Hard Hat, Eye Protection, Gloves, A four in One Tool and a CERT Field Response Guide.

Successful participants who wish to serve their community will be invited to join a team in Coconino County and will receive additional in-service training and will assist their local First Responders during Emergency and Non-Emergency events. CERT Team members in Flagstaff meet monthly for additional training. CERT Volunteers have been utilized during responses to Wild Land Fires, Flooding, Tornados, Heavy Snow Storms and many other natural disasters. CERT Volunteers have served in a variety of capacities to include staffing road blocks, assisting with neighborhood evacuation notification, staffing joint information call centers, assisting with Incident Command Centers, distributing neighborhood safety information and in many other areas. Community members who would like additional information or who wish to register for the basic training that will be conducted at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station are encouraged to call the Community Programs Office of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.
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Mesa Man Arrested on Multiple Counts of Burglary in the Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes Communities

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dillon Flagstaff – On Thursday, January 1, 2014 Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old Douglas Doyle Dillon of Mesa, Arizona in connection with multiple residential burglaries in the Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes communities. Between the months of March through December 2014 over 20 burglaries were reported in or near these communities.

Investigation revealed the burglaries occurred during the winter months when the targeted seasonal homes were unoccupied. Outbuildings such as garages, storage sheds and workshops were the primary target, and the majority of items taken during these burglaries were contractor type tools to include air compressors, power tools, saws, drills, and chainsaws.

While investigating the burglaries in the Forest Lakes area, images of a suspect were retrieved from cameras installed at the victimized residences. The deputy also collected blood samples at one scene where there was broken glass from the forced entry. This evidence was submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for analysis. The crime lab was able to obtain a DNA profile from the blood sample and submitted it to the FBI CODIS system, which houses DNA profiles contributed by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories.

Analysis of the blood sample matched a DNA sample from Dillon. Detectives submitted investigative reports to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and charging. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Douglas Doyle Dillon.

Although there was a warrant for arrest, Dillon was difficult to locate as Detectives believed he was living transient. During the month of December several more residential burglaries were reported in Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes, and deputies continued to attempt to locate Douglas Dillon.

On January 1, 2015 the community deputy for the Forest Lakes area located Dillon as he was attempting to free his vehicle from a snow bank. Dillon was arrested on the outstanding warrant and was transported to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility located in Flagstaff where he currently remains in custody on one count of First Degree Burglary, two counts of Third Degree Burglary and one count of Possession of Stolen Property. Detectives and AZ DPS Crime Lab are continuing this investigation and additional burglary charges are anticipated.

Robbery at the Highway 89 Express Stop

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FLAGSTAFF – On Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at approximately 9:57 pm a 911 dispatcher received the report of a robbery that had just occurred at 4525 N. Highway 89 at the Express Stop.

During the investigation deputies learned that a male approximately 5’6” to 5’7” in height and last seen wearing all black clothing with his face covered, walked into the Express Stop and handed the clerk a note instructing her to empty the register. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash. After taking the money the suspect exited the business and walked in a westerly direction towards the Wendy’s Restaurant.

Investigators believe the suspect waited until no customers were in the store before he approached the victim handing her the written note. Witnesses who were outside of the store reported seeing a male who was acting in a suspicious manner, possibly of Native American decent loitering in the parking lot just before the robbery occurred.

A Sheriff’s Deputy and her K-9 dog responded to the scene in an attempt to track the suspect’s scent. The dog followed a scent to a wooded area located west of the El Paso Natural Gas facilities at which point the K-9 appeared to lose the scent. No contact was made with any potential suspects.

Individuals who believe they may have information about this robbery or the identity or location of a possible suspect are urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at (928)774-6111.

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting

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neighborhoodwatchFLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ. This will be our end of the year Holiday Pot-Luck meeting, so all participants are asked to prepare and bring their favorite Holiday dish.

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll will be at the meeting to encourage continued neighborhood participation and to share information. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be present to share information from Coconino County Government. Doney Park Community Deputies will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

Our guest speaker will be Joe Meehan who is the former director of the Pioneer Museum. Mr. Meehan will give a very interesting and educational presentation on the History of the Doney Park area. All residents of the Doney Park area are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Kidnapping Suspect

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Bertrand Eugene/Sheriff Photo

Bertrand Eugene/Sheriff Photo

FLAGSTAFF – On Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the emergency department of the Flagstaff Medical Center on the report of the kidnapping of an eight year old boy. Deputies spoke with a man who identified himself as the grandfather and legal guardian of the victim and his ten year old brother.

According to the victim’s grandfather a family friend—who was identified as 51 year old Bertrand Eugene of Flagstaff—came to his home located off of Leupp Road on Wednesday at about 4:30 a.m. The two men spoke while standing in the front yard of the residence. According to the victim’s grandfather Bertrand Eugene said he wanted to take the eight year old victim to Alabama with him. The grandfather said no, ended the conversation and went back into his home. The grandfather said Eugene remained in the area of the front yard.

At about 6:30 a.m. the grandfather left the residence leaving the two boys with their grandmother. According to the eight year old victim he heard a knock at the front door and when he opened it he heard Eugene calling for him to come outside. As the victim exited the house the suspect grabbed him and forced him into the cab of Eugene’s vehicle.

The ten year old boy watched as this occurred and as the vehicle began to move he ran in front of it and Eugene swerved the vehicle around him. As the vehicle passed the boy he jumped onto the rear of the truck bed but quickly fell to the road surface resulting in minor injuries. The eight year old victim climbed out of the rear sliding window of the truck cab and jumped from the moving vehicle onto the road surface receiving minor injuries.

The suspect fled the area in his vehicle.

Deputies and Detectives began an active search for Eugene. Area law enforcement agencies were quickly advised of the occurrence and of the description of the suspect and his vehicle. Detectives also contacted law enforcement authorities in Alabama and advised them that Eugene may be on his way to that state.

On Thursday, December 4, 2014 Deputies responded to the area of Townsend Winona Road and Hidden Hills Road on the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon their arrival they made contact with one of the occupants of the truck and identified him as Bertrand Eugene.

Eugene was arrested on the charges of Kidnaping, Aggravated Assault and Endangerment. He is currently being held in the Coconino County Detention Facility. This case was submitted to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and additional felony charges are anticipated.

Sweat Lodge Provides Inmates Access to Traditional Ceremonies

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SweatlodgeFLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has several programs to address the traditional needs of our inmate population. One of these programs is the provision of a sweat lodge ceremony, and recently our facility conducted two Sweat Lodge Ceremonies for inmates.

For some Native American cultures the Sweat Lodge Ceremony provides purification and balance of body, mind, spirit and emotions and can serve as a Prayer Circle, or a Healing Circle transforming the Old Self into the New Self. Rocks are heated in a fire pit outside the structure and then brought inside and placed in a small hole in the ground; there is no fire inside the structure. The ceremony is conducted in four parts and might last as long as three hours with breaks. A traditional Messenger helps perform the ceremony. We plan to make Sweat Lodge Ceremonies available to the inmate population on a monthly schedule.
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This is one of many programs our facility and staff offer to help inmates initiate positive life changes. The programs include opportunities for life changes supported by spiritual, religious, educational, health, and substance abuse treatment approaches. While the Sheriff’s Office strives to make available recognized religious, recovery and a variety of self-improvement programs to the diverse cultures representing in the inmate population, we also recognize that approximately 50% of the people in our custody are of Native American descent. For this reason our programs include Sweat Lodge and a Hogan which may be unique compared to programs offered at facilities elsewhere in U.S. detention facilities. Partnership with the Navajo Behavioral Health Services has been vital to the success of many of these programs.

At the Coconino County Detention Facility we believe that time spent incarcerated can be turned into productive time, and inmates can leave our facility with improved life skills and a determination to make positive changes in their lives. Many of the programs provided to inmates are funded by the Inmate Welfare Fund which comes from commissary and phone usage fees. We are committed to enhancing inmate programs which benefit not only the inmates in custody but also can have broader reaching effects on our community as a whole.

Missing Person Thomas Lang Found Deceased

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thomas langFLAGSTAFF – Sadly, searchers believe they have located the skeletal remains of 22 year old Thomas Lang who was originally reported as an overdue hiker on December 18, 2013. His parents have spent many weekends since the formal search was suspended, hiking areas where they believe their son might be located.

On Saturday, November 29, 2014 Thomas’s parents were searching for their son in the Secret Canyon area located within Yavapai County. Thomas’ mother, called the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue advising she believed she found a jacket and shoes that possibly belonged to her son.

Yavapai and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue units coordinated a further search effort. The Arizona Department of Public Safety launched one of their Air Rescue Helicopters with a Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteer on board to conduct overflights of the area where the items were located. During the flight two additional items consistent with what Lang was believed to have taken with him on his backpacking trip were located from the air.

640px-LANG1On Sunday morning a multi-agency intensive ground search was commenced. Agencies who assisted with the search included Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, Yavapai County Sheriff’s helicopter and Thomas Lang’s parents. At about 10:00 am the crew aboard the Yavapai Sheriff’s helicopter confirmed that the items spotted the previous day were a backpack, tarp, and a guitar. Teams from Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, including two search dogs, and Yavapai Sheriff’s Search and Rescue hiked in very rough and steep terrain reaching the items spotted from the air at approximately noon. At 12:45 pm the team located what they believed to be the remains of Thomas Lang.

The remains have not been positively identified and have been released to the Yavapai County Medical Examiner. The Yavapai County and Coconino County Medical Examiners are working together in an effort to identify the remains and determine the cause and manner of death.

The initial search was started after Lang’s father dropped him off at the Manzanita Campground on December 18, 2013 at about 11:00 am. It was Lang’s intention to hike in the area and return on December 22, 2013. When Lang did not return his family members called the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and reported him as a missing person. It was at this point that a multi-agency, intensive ground and air search was commenced.

Agencies and resources that were involved with the initial search efforts in 2013 included the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), the YCSO Search and Rescue Unit, the YCSO helicopter, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the CCSO Search and Rescue Unit, Lang’s parents, the Civil Air Patrol, the Maricopa County Search and Rescue Unit, the Mojave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit. The formal search was suspended on December 27, 2013 after an extensive five day search.

In addition to the initial search effort, the Civil Air Patrol flew over the search area and took photographs utilizing a high resolution camera in April 2014. On several different dates hikers reported seeing items that they believe might belong to the missing person. In response to these reports the YCSO helicopter flew multiple missions.

Until the recent discovery of items by Lang’s mother, all of the previously reported items were determined not to belong to Lang. Throughout 2014, both the YCSO and the CCSO Search and Rescue Units conducted numerous training missions in the area where Lang went missing with the dual purpose of training as well as possibly uncovering more clues about his disappearance. It is common to conduct training missions in areas where outstanding missing persons are believed to be.

Cromer School Burglarized Twice

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives are investigating two burglaries that have recently occurred at Cromer School and are requesting assistance from the community in identifying and locating potential suspects.

The first burglary occurred sometime between the evening of Wednesday, November 19, 2014 and the morning of Thursday, November 20, 2014. The second burglary occurred sometime between the evening of Friday, November 21, 2014 and the morning of Monday, November 24, 2014. Both burglaries occurred in the FACTS building which houses Cromer’s after school program. The FACTS building is a structure that is separate from the main school building. During the first burglary not only did the suspect or suspects take valuable equipment but also vandalized the interior of the structure.

Items taken during these two crimes include a portable blue ray player, a 42” LG flat screen television set, a Dell Computer, 5 Bantam Portable Radios, 4 Cobra portable radios, and cash in excess of $300.00. Several of the stolen items to include the LG television set had been purchased with funds raised by the students.

Anyone with information about these burglaries is urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at (800) 338-7888 or Coconino County Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111. We need your information not your name. Your information could help solve these cases.

Timberline/Fernwood Neighborhood Watch Holiday Meeting

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neighborhoodwatchFLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta would like to invite residents of the Timberline and Fernwood communities to the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Summit Fire Station 33, located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of Highway 89N. Members of the Sheriff’s Office staff will be at the meeting to share information and encourage continued neighborhood participation.

This meeting will include a holiday theme potluck dinner. Tim Dalegowski who is the Transportation Planner and Scott Tkach who is the County Engineer for Coconino County will give a presentation about the results of a traffic study on Campbell Avenue regarding the speed limit.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.