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From the Office of the United States Attorney District of Arizona: A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 12-count superseding indictment against Julio Cesar Feliciano, Jr., 45; Herardo Joaquin Islas, 22; Andrei Ulisses Chavez, 25; and Julie Castillo, 29, all of Phoenix; and Francisco Javier Serrano, 23, a Mexican citizen living in Phoenix, for Armed Bank Robbery, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Bank Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm, and Re-entry after Deportation.

Feliciano and his associates were dubbed the "Wig Bandits" because they wore wigs in most of the robberies. Chavez was arrested on November 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. by the Glendale Police Department. The other four defendants were arrested on August 12, 2008 by Glendale and Phoenix Police Officers in Avondale, Ariz. immediately after an armed bank robbery occurred. All defendants, except for Castillo, have been in custody during the on-going, FBI-lead investigation as they await trial.

The superseding indictment alleges that Feliciano robbed four Phoenix area banks between June 17, 2008 and August 12, 2008, and that he used a gun in each robbery. Serrano is charged with two of those robberies, in addition to illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Islas and Castillo were indicted for their roles in the August 12, 2008 robbery, and Chavez was indicted for his role in a July 3, 2008 robbery that he allegedly committed with Feliciano in Glendale.

A conviction for Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of up to life, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 5 years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, or both, and Re-entry after Deportation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not
bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

The superseding indictment was returned on November 20, 2008 and adds counts 4-12 to the original indictment returned on August 19, 2008. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the superseding indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Glendale Police Department and the Phoenix Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Avondale Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Alison S. Bachus, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

"It's not how these officers died that made them heroes, it's how they lived." The words on the back of his shirt said it all. Those words were echoed by the people who gathered to pay tribute to fallen Phoenix Officer Paul Salmon #8256 on Saturday morning, November 29, 2008. It was the third anniversary of his death and while traffic on Baseline Road came to a halt, a sign marking the spot where he died was dedicated.

Officer Salmon, who worked South Mountain Precinct, was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident at 3100 W Baseline Rd on Monday November 28, 2005 at 1:00 a.m.; he was responding to a domestic violence call. A citizen saw his wrecked patrol car off the roadway and called police. The young officer was removed from his police car by Phoenix Fire and was transported in extremely critical condition to St. Joseph's Hospital for medical care. He died on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 8:40 PM as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

On 11/25/08, at approximately 7:15 a.m., the victim answered the door at his home in the 3100 block of W. Roosevelt and was confronted by the suspect demanding his vehicle.  The victim initially hesitated until the suspect displayed a handgun.  The victim provided the suspect with keys to his silver, Dodge Dakota pickup.  The suspect fled in the stolen vehicle.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle at a residence at 1114 N 37^th Ave.  Officers made contact with numerous people in and immediately around the residence and detained them as part of the investigation.  Officers learned that the suspect was hiding in the house and believed that he was still armed with the handgun.  The Phoenix Police Department Special Assignments Unit was called and responded to the scene.

After several hours of negotiation and tactical preparation, the suspect peacefully surrendered without further incident.  The suspect has not yet been booked as the investigation is ongoing.

• Date and Time: 11/25/08 at approximately 7:16 a.m.
• Report # 2008-82014109
• Victim 1: H/M (age 33)
• Suspect/s: W/M  (age 45)

UPDATE: Suspect: Swyers, Adam Kenneth W/M D.O.B. 11/29/62

Homicide Victim: Gutierrez, Raul Antonio H/M D.O.B. 01/29/66 (NOK HAS NOW BEEN NOTIFIED, NEW SINCE BRIEFING)

This is an update to the Armed Robbery / Stolen Vehicle Advisory from earlier today.

Subsequent to the arrest of the suspect, investigators were able to determine that he was responsible for the homicide committed at 3400 W Buckeye Rd. at approximately 4:00 a.m. this morning.

Investigators have determined that the suspect and another man were in the area and became involved in an altercation. During the altercation, the suspect shot the victim. The victim died. The suspect fled the area. At approximately 7:15 a.m., the same suspect committed the armed robbery of a vehicle at 3100 W Roosevelt where he threatened the victim at this location with a gun and demanded his vehicle. Officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the area of 1100 N 37th Av. but before they could make contact, the occupants stopped at 1114 N 37th Av and went into a house. Officers called the Phoenix Police Dept Special Assignments Unit who responded to the scene to assist.

Officers called into the house and as many as 11 occupants came out without resistance. Officers learned that the suspect was hiding inside the house and was still armed. After several hours of negotiation, the suspect agreed to peacefully surrender. As he began to walk out, the suspect threw down his gun. The gun accidentally discharged. No officers or others were injured by the shot. The suspect was then arrested without further incident.

Investigators were able to determine that this suspect is responsible for the homicide at 3400 W. Buckeye Rd. and the Armed Robbery of the vehicle at 3100 W Roosevelt St. He is being booked into jail on one count each of 2nd Degree Homicide, Armed Robbery, Theft of Vehicle, and Misconduct Involving Weapons.

Twenty-eight year-old Marcel Holden’s RAP sheet began when he was a young teen and included burglary from vehicles and drug use among other offenses. At about 2:40 a.m., Monday, November 24, 2008, he forced his way into an apartment near 3rd Street and Hatcher at gunpoint where he assaulted one of the three females residing there.  During a violent struggle, the woman was able to break away and ran into a bathroom with the second female, locking the door behind them. Holden broke down the door and shattered a large mirror in the bathroom.  One of the women had a cell phone and was calling 9-1-1; Holden fled the apartment taking a purse containing personal identification and cash, along with other items.  The first victim’s teenage daughter had been sleeping in another bedroom but heard the screams and saw the man assaulting her mother. The girl was not physically harmed.

Phoenix Police responded and saw the suspect leaving the area in a Maroon Lexus at a high rate of speed. They pursued the suspect but lost the vehicle in the area of 33rd Avenue and Northern.  They established a perimeter and a short time later, officers observed a suspect matching the description of Marcel Holden crawling through an apartment complex parking lot at 8125 North 35th Avenue.

It was now 3:10 a.m.  Marcel Holden forced open the front door of an apartment, waking the resident who had been asleep in a bedroom, his door closed, but not locked.  Hearing the noise, the man got down on the floor between his bed and the outside wall and called 9-1-1, trying to speak softly so Holden would not hear him.  During the conversation with the 9-1-1 operator, he was asked to open the bedroom window and he did, seeing police who had established an inner perimeter around the apartment building. Marcel Holden opened the bedroom door and entered the room, telling the victim to hang up the phone.

In another ten minutes, the incident would be over. Marcel Holden walked out of the apartment and Phoenix Police took him into custody. The victim in this apartment was not harmed. Police recovered items from the first incident.  Patrol officers from Desert Horizon Precinct, Squaw Peak Precinct, Cactus Park Precinct and K-9 Patrol provided outstanding teamwork during the incident.

Date & Locations:
3-24-08 6000 W. Roanoke Drive
4-14-08 7000 W. Indian School Road
5-12-08 6200 W. Thomas Road
5-12-08 2600 N. 45th Avenue
9-12-08 2300 N. 87th Avenue
9-30-08 107th Avenue and Highland

(45th Avenue to 107th Avenue
Thomas Road to Camelback)

Suspect: Hispanic Male, 25 to 40 years old
               5’5’’ to 5’8” feet tall

Between March 24, 2008 and September 30, 2008, there were several incidents of sexual abuse in which the listed suspect approached the victims on foot as they walked on or near a public thoroughfare or location.  The suspect then accosted the victims, fondled them and fled on foot.

Anyone who may have information concerning these incidents is encouraged to call the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-6151.  If they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS or (480) TESTIGO for Spanish.

If anyone has been a victim of this type of crime they should call Crime Stop at (602) 262-6151.

At approximately 3:30 A.M. on 11-18-08, the victim Michael Carter-Scroggins and some friends were in the carport at 2739 E. Chipman when the suspect vehicle, a 2000 Ford Focus, four-door, green in color, drove eastbound through the alley south of the residence.  At that time, unknown suspect or suspects fired multiple rounds at the people in the carport.  The victim was struck by the gunfire. 

The responding officers found the victim who was transported to a local hospital by Phoenix Fire Department personnel, where he died as a result of his injuries.

This investigation is still on-going.  The motive for this shooting has not been determined and there is no suspect information.

Anyone who may have seen this incident or who may have information concerning it is encouraged to call the Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at (602) 262-6141 or “SILENT WITNESS” at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S.  For Spanish, call (480) T-E-S-T-I-G-O.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced that Frank Bernal, Jr., has been sentenced to 27.5 years in prison with no opportunity for early release. At approximately 11 p.m. on October 31, 2007, Bernal opened fire on Phoenix Officers Shane Figueroa #8485 and Brent Freyburger #8674 near 33rd Avenue and Jefferson. 

Click for larger view.  

The two officers were on patrol and responding to a call in a neighborhood that consists of single family residences and small apartment complexes separated by unpaved alleys. Suddenly they heard a single gunshot ring out. They saw a suspect, later identified as Frank Bernal, with a gun in his hand.  They ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused and fled on foot.  During the chase, Bernal stopped in an alley and manipulated the gun as if to clear a malfunction or to load it.  Then, he turned and fired five shots at Figueroa and Freyburger, neither who had any options for cover in the dark alley.  

During the trial, Officer Figueroa told the court, "My father is a police officer, had been for 26 years before he retired. I was never faced with a situation like this, and I hope that I will never be faced with a situation like this again. But the day-to-day gratification of helping people, enforcing the laws we have in this state and this country is why I do what I do.” 

Tragically, Officer Shane Figueroa died nearly one year later to the day of the Bernal incident when his police cruiser was hit by an accused drunk driver in the intersection of 19th Avenue and Roeser.   

During Frank Bernal, Jr."s sentencing, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas stated, “This office takes seriously attacks on police officers. We hope this sentence sends a message that these attacks won’t be tolerated. The judge, in issuing the sentence, said there is no excuse for this type of conduct against those who are trying to protect the community. I share the judge’s concern.”

PHOENIX – Juan Tapia-Quintero, 35, of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced
yesterday by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 230 months prison. Tapia-Quintero pleaded guilty on March 26, 2008 to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and five kilograms or more of cocaine, conspiracy to commit promotional money laundering and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

After a six-month investigation, DEA Special Agents arrested Tapia-Quintero and 15
others for distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and possessing 13 firearms, including assault rifles. Tapia-Quintero was the Phoenix-based leader of a drug trafficking organization that imported both methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico and distributed it in Arizona and the Midwest. Tapia-Quintero’s organization used hidden compartments in vehicles to transport large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S. Law enforcement officials seized $376,085 from Tapia-Quintero
and his associates during the investigation.

Tapia-Quintero admitted that he knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to
distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and 500 grams of methamphetamine for purpose of distribution. He also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities Finally, he admitted to using the proceeds of the sale of drugs to further promote the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine. His brother, Fernando Tapia-Quintero, was also involved in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 135 months in prison on March 20, 2008. In addition to Tapia-Quintero and his brother, four other defendants have been sentenced in this case.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and
the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Kevin M. Rapp and Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Date & Time of occurrence: 10/29/08 at 0902 hours

Location: Bus stop at Central and Vineyard

The unidentified victim was punched in the face; falling backwards, striking his head on the concrete.

The victim has remained in the hospital, unresponsive until 11/13/08. The victim is now conscious, but uncommunicative.

If anyone has information reference the identity of the victim, please contact the Assaults Unit at 262-7693 or the Violent Crimes Bureau desk at 262-6141.

Mayor Phil Gordon with the support of Phoenix Police Chief, Jack Harris, PLEA President - Mark Spencer and PPSLA President - Mark Hafkey, address Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives in a letter describing the events surrounding Fallen Phoenix Police Officer, Shane Figueroa and other Officers whose lives have been taken by illegal immigrants. They are asking for a timley response in regards to border security and immigration reform. To view the letter sent by the Office of the Mayor, Click Here

According to investigators, between the dates of October 10, 2008 and October 11, 2008, a storage facility rented by DES was burglarized.  Several items were stolen, including a computer hard drive.  Investigators have identified two persons of interest. The vehicle believed to be used in the theft is a white Chevrolet ½ ton truck.  

Please note, these two individuals are not suspects, but only persons of interest in this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding these persons of interest, or pertaining to this crime, is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department at 262-6867 (days) or 262-6141 (nights).  Citizens can also call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

On Monday, 11/3/08 at approximately 10:00p.m., Phoenix Police officers responded to a check welfare call of a victim lying in the median by the intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek. Upon the officers’ arrival, they found a 19-year-old man lying face down with head injuries and multiple lacerations.  When the officers spoke to the victim, they detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the victims breath and the victim was disoriented. The victim stated he was involved in a vehicle accident but officers could not locate any vehicles involved in an accident in the immediate area. The officers had a police helicopter check the area but, but nothing was found. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non- life threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, 11/4/08 at approximately 6:30 pm, the Phoenix Police prepared a “missing person” report after the father of the victim called.  The father stated he allowed his son to use his family vehicle but was suppose to return home at midnight on Monday night.

On Thursday 11/6/08, missing person investigators received a phone call from the victim’s father. The father told the detectives that he was in contact with his son’s friend, who told him that his son was involved in an accident on Monday night.  The investigators determined the passenger was the victim who was found in the median on Monday night.  The investigators spoke with the passenger and determined where the accident occurred.   They went back to the scene that evening but, due to darkness and the terrain of the area they were unable to locate anything.  They suspended their search until the next morning.

This morning, 11/7/08, the investigators went back to the scene and located the vehicle.  While on foot, the detectives were able to locate the vehicle in an obstructed area of the desert landscaping.  The vehicle was beneath heavy desert bush and trees on the south east corner of the intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek Road.  It should be noted that the vehicle was not visible from the roadway. The victim was found deceased in the vehicle and appeared to have died in the accident.

On Friday 11/7/08 at approximately 6:30 am, officers responded to an apartment complex located at 2600 W. Myrtle Street, regarding a child not breathing and unresponsive.  Upon arrival of the first responders, they confirmed that the child was deceased.

The child was being watched by the mother’s fiancé at his apartment.  When the fiancé went to wake the child up this morning, he noticed the child was unresponsive and called 911.

According to the investigators the mother of the child works nights and left the child with her fiancé at his apartment.

Investigators are still processing the scene and conducting interviews with the mother and Fiancé, it is undetermined at this time if any foul play has taken place.

Currently, no one is in custody. This investigation is still ongoing.

Two armed suspects wearing transparent face masks attempted to rob the Chase Bank at the corner of 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, just a field apart from the soon-to-be opened Phoenix Police precinct located at 2111 S. 99th Avenue.  They entered the bank at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, November 6, 2008 and approached a teller, demanding cash.  When the teller couldn’t open the cash drawer fast enough, he was pistol whipped by one of the suspects.  Before Phoenix police could respond, the suspects fled the scene in a gray-colored vehicle.  As a precaution the victim, who suffered minor injuries, was transported to a local hospital.  The suspects were still outstanding as of the posting of this Breaking News item.

Date/Time: 09/27/08, 2305 hours
Location:; 3100 E. Roosevelt Street;
Victim:; Unknown Hispanic male, 30-40 years old, 5’05”, 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair
Suspect:; Unknown suspect (s)

On Saturday, 09/27/08, at 2305 hours, the Phoenix Police Department responded to a Homicide at the bus stop at 3100 E. Roosevelt Street.  The victim was beaten to death with an unknown object by suspect/s unknown.  The motive appears to be robbery.

If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the victim or suspects, please contact the Homicide Unit.   If they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS or (480) TESTIGO for Spanish.

Victim:Arturo Moreno-Valenzuela H/M 29 years old
Person of Interest: Eduardo Menchaca Jr. H/M 6-15-90   **Also wanted by the PPD for outstanding weapons and drug charges

On November 1, 2008 at approximately 1:00am, ten armed suspects kidnapped the victim at gunpoint from his home located in the area of 4800 N. 96th Ave.  Investigators have developed information, which indicates that Eduardo Menchaca Jr. is a person of interest in this incident. The motive for the kidnapping has not been determined.

Investigators need the public’s help in locating the victim, Arturo Moreno-Valenzuela and the person of interest, Eduardo Menchaca Jr.  Please advise the community that if they see either of these individuals to please call 911 immediately. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of either the victim or the person of interest is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

UPDATE 11-04-08- The kidnapping victim was released, uninjured, last night on 11-4-08.  The suspect has not been located.

About a year ago the citizens of Phoenix approved Proposition One. We have seen our Patrol ranks increase to levels we have never seen before. Our response times are down, our arrests are up and crime is down. We have seen Violent Crime go down 5% with major decreases recently in Homicide of 24%. We have also seen Property Crime decrease by 7% with unprecedented decreases in Auto Theft of 26%. 

To what, at least in part, do I attribute this reduction in crime and improvement in service? READ MORE.