Phoenix-area teen faces more than 25 charges after alleged crime spree
Dec 3, 2015, 12:55 PM
Rojelio Armenta (Pinal County Sheriff's Office Photo)
(Pinal County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area teen faces more than 25 theft-related charges after allegedly admitting to a crime spree, law enforcement said.
Rojelio Armenta, 18, was arrested Monday after a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted him driving a car they said had been reported stolen. After a short chase, the deputy lost sight of the car but another eventually saw Armenta running through yards and jumping walls. He was caught after 15 minutes.
Deputies said stolen credit cards and a wallet were found in the vehicle, but when Armenta was questioned, they said he admitted to a slew of other crimes.
“He claimed to have stolen 25 cars, six of which we have confirmed he stole in Pinal County,” Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said in a release.
The sheriff said his department had linked Armenta to an armed robbery in San Tan Valley as well as several burglaries, thefts and credit card frauds there and in Gilbert.
Armenta has been charged with six counts of vehicle theft, armed robbery, three counts of burglary, two counts of credit card fraud, endangerment, felony flight, possession of narcotics and promoting prison contraband.
More charges are expected.
