Phoenix police, highway trooper vehicles crash helping in pursuit
Jul 17, 2018, 6:44 AM | Updated: 4:32 pm
(KTAR Photo/Kathy Cline)
(KTAR Photo/Kathy Cline)
PHOENIX — Phoenix police and state highway troopers helping in a pursuit of armed-robbery suspects collided in their vehicles early Tuesday before eight people were eventually arrested.
None of the officers involved in the accident near First Avenue and Monroe Street were seriously injured, authorities said.
Seven minors — four boys and three girls between the ages of 16 and 17 — were taken into custody at an apartment complex near 37th Street and McDowell Road, several miles away from the start of the pursuit near Interstate 17 and Indian School Road.
The group was suspected of robbing two convenience stores, the first near 18th Avenue and Grant Street around 1:45 a.m., and the next near 58th Avenue and Thomas Road around 2 a.m.
The adult, 33-year-old Francisco Javier Sandoval, and the teenagers got into a maroon Dodge Caravan and made their way onto Interstate 17 with police and DPS following.
Suspects in Maryvale armed robbery now in custody … but @phoenixpolice still processing scene @ apt complex at 37th St & McDowell Rd. More at 6A on @KTAR923 @AZMorningNews https://t.co/AFBOblLwkb or on our app. pic.twitter.com/UEJb8Q4CwB
— Kathy Cline (@ClineKathleen) July 17, 2018
UPDATE: 7 suspects, including 6 minors, in custody after pursuit in #Phoenix that led to crash of Phoenix Police and DPS cars: https://t.co/BtidDu8anx #abc15 pic.twitter.com/RbRNLThyQO
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 17, 2018
The van was spotted near the I-17 and Indian School Road shortly after the second robbery when Phoenix police and Arizona DPS troopers started their pursuit.
The van was eventually stopped in the area of 36th Street and McDowell Road. The eight occupants attempted to run away but were shortly taken into custody.
Sandoval was found to be the driver and licensed owner of the vehicle.
All of the suspects were charged with several counts of armed robbery. The juveniles will be detained at the Maricopa County Juvenile Court Center, while Sandoval was booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
Detectives with the department are examining other cases for a possible connection to the group.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kathy Cline contributed to this report.
