Man shot, arrested after running from police in West Valley
Jan 17, 2018, 3:57 PM | Updated: 5:42 pm
(Peoria Police Department Photo)
PHOENIX — A man was shot and arrested after he allegedly wrecked a stolen truck and ran from officers Wednesday morning, the Peoria Police Department said.
Police said 24-year-old Jaime Longoria Valenzuela was driving the truck stolen in Mesa when he was involved in a head-on collision near 83rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road about 7:30 a.m. He was allegedly driving northbound in the southbound lanes.
Four vehicles were involved in the crash. One person was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Longoria Valenzuela allegedly fled the scene and officers caught up to him a short distance from the crash site. Police said he exchanged gunfire with officers as he hopped through backyards and was eventually shot in the leg.
He was taken to a local hospital and released several hours later, when he was arrested.
Officials placed nearby Centennial High School on lockdown for a brief period until Longoria Valenzuela was hit. Traffic was restricted in the area.
The final closed stretch of road — 79th Avenue between Thunderbird and Wacker roads — reopened about 5:30 p.m.
No officers were injured.
Longoria Valenzuela will face charges of aggravated assault, vehicle theft and leaving the scene of an accident. More charges could be filed.