Phoenix police shoot at suspect on Mesa freeway

PHOENIX – Phoenix police shot at a suspect on an East Valley freeway early Thursday morning, ending a mileslong car chase and an attempted carjacking.

Mesa Detective Nik Rasheta said in an email that the chase began around 12:40 a.m. in Phoenix on State Route 51 near Interstate 10. Officers tried to pull over a speeding vehicle but the driver didn’t stop.

Instead, the driver fled and drove to Mesa. An air unit tracking the car said the driver pulled over on the freeway and got out several times and ran around before getting back into the vehicle.

Police were finally able to stop the vehicle near Mesa Drive, tossing stop sticks onto the road. The vehicle came to a halt near the Country Club Drive exit, and the suspect got out and tried to get into a truck that was passing by.

An officer fired at the suspect but did not hit the person, who was then taken into custody.

Country Club is currently blocked North and South at US-60 for a @phoenixpolice involved shooting. US-60 westbound exit lane is also blocked for the investigation. Please seek alternate routes to avoid delays. All officers okay, one suspect detained. No injuries involved. pic.twitter.com/Z6FFTwxtPw

— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) February 20, 2020

The suspect was identified Friday as 25-year-old Santiago Mancinas Ramirez. Phoenix police booked him on charges of felony flight, vehicle theft, narcotic drug possession, attempt strong armed robbery and an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault.

The westbound U.S. 60 off-ramp at Country Club was closed through rush hour Thursday while the scene was under investigation, while eastbound U.S. 60 traffic could not turn left after exiting at Country Club.

Country Club was closed in both directions at the freeway. The roads were reopened by 10 a.m.

Phoenix police are investigating the events leading up to the shooting, and Mesa police are investigating the shooting.

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