ARIZONA NEWS

Suspect killed in crash after carjacking spree, multi-agency chase in Yuma

Mar 9, 2023, 8:49 AM | Updated: 10:40 am
(Facebook/Yuma Police Department)...
(Facebook/Yuma Police Department)
(Facebook/Yuma Police Department)

PHOENIX — A man who allegedly carjacked three vehicles in Yuma, including a large water truck, died Wednesday afternoon in a crash that ended a multi-agency chase, authorities said.

Alfredo Panduro Zendejas, 44, was pronounced dead after the vehicle he was driving collided with a semi-truck in an intersection, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

No other injuries were reported.

Earlier in the day, the man allegedly stole two vehicles.

First was the water truck, reported as stolen around 7:45 a.m. to the sheriff’s office. The suspect also allegedly stole two firearms.

At around 9:12 a.m., the Yuma Police Department received a report of an attempted carjacking. The suspect threatened a 45-year-old woman with a gun and tried to take her vehicle but the engine wouldn’t start. The man fled in the water truck.

Then, at approximately 10 a.m., the man allegedly threatened a female with a gun and took her purple Acura from the parking lot of Arizona Western College and drove away.

Around 4 p.m., police began pursuit of the Acura. Eventually, the suspect abandoned it and fled on foot. He allegedly shot at a police vehicle while running.

Later, the man allegedly carjacked another vehicle, a small silver car, by threatening a woman in her 70s with a gun. The suspect fired twice near the driver and her passenger. They were not injured.

Police resumed pursuit of the man through the Palms Regional Center Mall and back on to the street. The pursuit ended at County 15th Street and Avenue 3E.

Officers from the Somerton Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the case.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to call 928-373-4700 or 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

FILE - A woman walks near an uprooted tree, a flipped vehicle and debris from homes damaged by a to...
Associated Press

Tornadoes kill at least 11 across US Midwest and South

Tornadoes that tore through parts of the South and Midwest killed at least 11 people, collapsed the roof of a packed theater during a heavy metal concert in Illinois, and left small towns and big cities throughout the region bewildered Saturday by the damage.
16 hours ago
(City of Phoenix Photo)...
KTAR.com

Woman killed, 2 men injured in rollover accident in west Phoenix

Two men and one woman were critically injured in a single vehicle rollover accident early Saturday in west Phoenix.
16 hours ago
A sunset spectacle featuring two mitten-shaped rock formations crosses Monument Valley Tribal Park ...
Associated Press

Towering Monument Valley buttes display rare sunset spectacle

A sunset spectacle featuring two mitten-shaped rock formations played out this week at Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation along the Arizona and Utah border.
16 hours ago
(Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Photo)...
KTAR.com

Arizona officials warn public to avoid orange liquid, soil near mine in Walker

Arizona officials warned residents of Walker, a community in Yavapai County, of orange liquid and soil that started surfacing this week. 
16 hours ago
(Arizona Humane Society Photos)...
KTAR.com

Arizona Humane Society removes more than a dozen hair ties from cat’s stomach

A rescued Valley cat underwent a lifesaving surgery in March and is now in need of a home after veterinarians removed more than a dozen hair ties from his stomach.
16 hours ago
Pat McMahon records a promo for a rerun of an episode of “The Wallace and Ladmo Show.” Photo ta...
Daniel Ogas/Cronkite News

‘Broadcast legend’ Pat McMahon of ‘Wallace and Ladmo’ still a Phoenix TV icon

Pat McMahon is still working, but it was his days as the character actor on “Wallace and Ladmo,” for which he is sure to be best remembered.
16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
(Pexels Photo)...

Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but it’s a dangerous game for children

While adults may find that sports gambling is a way to enhance the experience with more than just fandom on the line, it can be a dangerous proposition if children get involved in the activity.
...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
Suspect killed in crash after carjacking spree, multi-agency chase in Yuma