Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from July 16-18
Jul 18, 2021, 5:54 PM | Updated: 5:55 pm
(Facebook photo/Flagstaff City Government)
(Facebook photo/Flagstaff City Government)
PHOENIX — An Arizona man who allegedly breached the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots while dressed as a gladiator figure faces federal charges, a declaration of emergency was issued after flood waters swept through Coconino County and the body of a man who ran into Tempe Town Lake and never resurfaced was found.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona man accused of breaching Capitol on Jan. 6 in gladiator costume
An Arizona man faces federal charges for allegedly breaching the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots while dressed as a gladiator figure from Latter-day Saints scripture.
According to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Nathan Wayne Entrekin of Cottonwood was dressed as Captain Moroni from the Book of Mormon during the incursion.
Entrekin was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
The FBI agent who submitted the criminal complaint cited evidence found on Entrekin’s phone. The evidence includes video during which the suspect can be heard speaking to his mother, with whom he lives, according to the document.
Gov. Ducey issues emergency declaration after Coconino County flooding
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a declaration of emergency Friday after flood waters swept through Coconino County earlier in the week.
Up to $200,000 is available for response efforts as heavy rains drenched Flagstaff beginning on Tuesday.
“Severe post-wildfire flooding is creating dangerous challenges for communities in Northern Arizona,” Ducey said in a press release. “The flooding is causing road closures, damaging property and putting Arizonans’ safety at risk.”
Coconino County Emergency Management officials issued a shelter-in-place order Wednesday afternoon for the area around the 2019 Museum Fire area, warning residents to move to higher ground and not to enter flood waters.
Water from the storms was powerful enough to sweep a compact car away in a Flagstaff neighborhood.
The emergency office said more than 2.5 inches of rain deluged the ground east of Flagstaff.
Police find body of man in Tempe Town Lake following two-day search
The body of a man was pulled out of Tempe Town Lake on Saturday morning after a search began for the missing person on Friday, authorities said.
The Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Dive team pulled the man, who authorities are working to identify, from the water.
Police responded to the lake Friday evening about a call of a man who ran into the water and never resurfaced.
Following several dives by Tempe Fire Medical Rescue and no body found, the lack of visibility and storms moved operations into a second day.
AG Brnovich files fraud lawsuit against two Tucson real estate companies
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office filed a consumer fraud lawsuit Thursday against two real estate companies and a manager for allegedly deceiving consumers in transactions.
The lawsuit alleges Tucson businesses Deed and Note Traders, LLC, 881 Home, LLC, and the manager, David Kinas — all defendants in the case– sold houses under a “wrap mortgage” arrangement and failed to make their loan payments, despite collecting down payments from consumers.
Wrap mortgages are arrangements where the primary mortgage holder, the defendants in this instance, makes a second loan to consumers who purchase the house. The holder must then continue to make payments on their underlying mortgage or risk a foreclosure that causes the consumer to lose their home.
Also, by failing to provide consumers a title report and a minimum 15-year loan repayment term, the lawsuit alleges, the defendants violated the Deed and Note Traders’ 2006 Consent Decree with the state.
Man arrested at Mesa hotel on burglary, weapons charges
A man was arrested at a Mesa hotel last week after allegedly making threats with a knife and trying to hide a gun and drugs, authorities said.
Corey Tyner, 29, was taken into custody and booked into jail for eight charges, including first-degree burglary, narcotic drug sales and weapons violations.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday near Main Street and Higley Road with officers responding to the Colonade Motel about a man threatening with a knife.
Upon arrival, officers detained Tyner.
Further investigation into Tyner led police to find ammunition, drugs and a gun with a drum magazine illegally converted into a fully automatic weapon, all within reach of his three children, authorities said.
