Attempted Child Abduction

There was an attempted child abduction Tuesday morning at the bus stop on the corner of Ice House Canyon and Aneas.

The 14 year old girl was able to give a description of the suspect and the vehicle. The vehicle was a tan SUV similar to a Suburban or Tahoe, The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, possibly in his late thirties or early forties.

If you have any information or see suspicious activity, contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office at 425-4449.

Search for Missing Man Suspended After 11 Days

The search for a man missing south of Young has been suspended after eleven days.

Paul Tomaso is now listed as a missiing person. The case is still active. If you have any information that might help locating him, call the Gila County Sheriff’s Office at 928-425-4449.

Sheriff's Posse Sweetheart Dance on Saturday

The Gila County Sheriff’s Reserve Posse Sweetheart Dance is Saturday from 6 to Midnight at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

Tickets are $25 a couple and $15 for singles. They are available at Bacon’s Boots and Saddles, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, Posse members or at the door.

Sheriff Releases More Information About 911 Call

Gila County Sheriff Adam Shepherd has released more information about the 911 call received on December 28.

A man told dispatchers that his mother was unresponsive and had apparently suffered head trauma. When deputies arrived they found that the woman was dead.

She has been identified as 74 year old Louise Cook.

Gila County Detectives are waiting for lab results from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the County Attorney’s Office are conducting a joint investigation.

Lt. Mike Johnson Appointed Undersheriff

Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd  has announced the appointment of Lieutenant Mike Johnson to the position of Undersheriff.

Lt. Johnson has been with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office since 1990. He has been a Detention Officer, Patrol Deputy, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, and Training Coordinator.

As Undersheriff,  Lt. Johnson will be responsible for the Field Services Bureau which includes Patrol, Dispatch, and Criminal Investigations for Gila County.

GCSO Purchases Portable Breath Testing Devices

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office announces that they have purchased 21 portable breath testing devices and over 1000 mouthpieces to accompany them.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety provided the funding to purchase the  devices. They will be used in DUI enforcement and in combating underage alcohol use in the community.

Telephone Scam Claims to be Confirmed By Sheriff's Office

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a telephone scam in which a caller claims to be from Publishers Clearing House. The caller tells you that you have won prize money, but to claim it you have to send them money. In one example, a request for $1,800 was made to receive a grand prize of $6,000,000.

These calls are showing up on caller ID with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office phone number. A man identifying himself as Sheriff Shepherd may attempt to confirm that the prize money is from Publishers Clearing House.

Please be cautious of any call asking for money in exchange for prizes. Also, be aware that the Sheriff’s Office does not call and confirm prize winnings or request money to be turned over to someone on their behalf.

Do not give any personal information to the caller. If the calls persist contact the Sheriff’s Office at 425-4449.

Gila County Detention Officers Recognized at State Conference

Gila County Sheriff Adam Shepherd announces that three Detention Officers and one Medical Assistant were recognized at the recent Arizona Detention Association Conference in Prescott.

Administrative Sergeant Christina Duarte was named “Supervisor of the Year.” Detention Officer Jacob Martin was honored as the “Rookie of the Year.” And Medical Assistant Terry Childers received the “Never Give Up Award.”

In addition, Sgt. David Kell received the “Rod Bottoms Scholarship Award” of $1,500 for continued training and education.

Sheriff Shepherd congratulates these recipients for their hard work, dedication and loyalty to the Detention Division of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office. He is also proud to note that the four awards given at this year’s Conference were the most given to any Arizona county.

Sheriff's Reserve Posse Sweetheart Dance February 5

The Gila County Sheriff’s Reserve Posse Sweetheart Dance will be on Saturday, February 9 at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

Happy Hour is from 6 to 7.  Bar-B-Que on a bun with beans will be served starting at 7:00. The dance is from 8 to Midnight with music by Sunset Highway.

Tickets are $25 a couple and $15.00 for singles. Tickets are available at Bacon’s Boots and Saddles, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, from Posse members or at the door.

For more information call 425-3372.

Gila County Murder Suspect Caught

A suspect wanted for the murder of an Eager man was located and arrested yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at Roosevelt Lake.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office says they got a tip from a boater that a man who was dirty and asking for water approached their boat while they were swimming. The boater left and called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.

57 year old Gabriel Jaramillo was taken into custody  and flown to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Roosevelt substation, where he was checked by Tonto Basin Fire medical personnel and then flown to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center for evaluation. Police say Jaramillo complained of  back pain, due to falling down a cliff.

Jaramillo was wanted in connection with the disappearance of 47 year old Steve Long of Eager. He reportedly shot at Gila County Sheriff’s deputies during a chase from Globe to Roosevelt Lake Saturday night but didn’t hit anyone.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter unit, Department of Corrections K-9 and tracking crews,  and officers from several other agencies participated in the search for Jaromillo.

Search Continues in Gila County for Homicide Suspect

The search continues in Gila County for homicide suspect Gabriel Jaramillo.

Jaramillo was pursued by Gila County Sheriff’s Deputies Saturday night from Globe to the northern shores of Roosevelt Lake. Several other law enforcement agencies were also involved.

During the pursuit, two deputies exchanged gunfire with Jaramillo, and he shot at a third deputy. The deputies were not hurt.

On Monday, Department of Corrections tracking teams located tracks heading in a northeasterly direction away from Roosevelt Lake and away from any populated areas of Tonto Basin.. The tracking teams have helped narrow the search but Jaramillo is still at large.

Jaramillo should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, don’t approach him but call your local law enforcement.

Suspect Flees After Abandoning Stolen Vehicle

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the driver of a stolen vehicle connected to the disappearance of an Eager man.

57 year old Gabriel Jaramillo abandoned the vehicle Saturday night in the Roosevelt Lake area and fled after shots were exchanged with law enforcement

Jaramillo is 6’2”, 195-210 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Gabriel Jaramillo, contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office at 425-4449.

Arrest Made in 1995 Murder Case

Last week the Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 47 year old Arthur Tarango Sr. in connection with the 1995 murder of Hector Mendez. The murder  occurred at the “Round Table” recreation site at the base of the Pinal Mountains.

The investigation into this “cold case” was conducted by Detective Emmett Dickison over the last three years and was assisted by Detective Ray Hernandez with the Gila County Attorney’s Office.

Details of the offence are not being released at this time because this is an ongoing investigation and additional interviews are still pending.

Anyone who has any additional information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Dickison at 425-4449 or Detective Hernandez at 402-4243.

Stubbs to Run for Sheriff

Darrell Stubbs has announced that he is running for Gila County Sheriff on the 2012 ballot.

Stubbs has served as a Gila County deputy sheriff, a patrol officer for the Town of Miami and the Gila County Task Force.

Sheriff Armer Announces Retirement

Gila County Sheriff John Armer has announced that he will retire at the end of his term.

Sheriff Armer has been in law enforcement for 43 years, as Deputy Sheriff in Maricopa County, Globe Police Chief and Gila County Sheriff.

Armer says he appreciates the trust that Gila County voters have placed in him. He thanks his command staff for their support. He says the employees of the Sheriff’s Office are among the best he has ever worked with, and the fact that the office has never been the subject of lawsuits or public criticism is the result of their professionalism.

Sheriff Armer says he plans to remain an active resident of Gila County.

Annual Sweetheart Dance on February 11

The Gila County Sheriff’s Reserve Posse Sweetheart Dance will be held on Saturday, February 11 at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

Admission for the dance is $20 a couple and $15 for singles. Tickets are available from any Posse member, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and several local businesses. Or you can call 425-3372.

The proceeds from this annual fundraiser help pay for uniforms and safety equipment.

Sheriff's Officers of the Quarter

Gila County Sheriff John Armer announces that Sergeant Lee Alexander has been selected Detention Supervisor of the Quarter and Victoria Garcia has been selected Detention Officer of the Quarter. They were chosen for their outstanding job performance and work ethic in the Gila County Globe and Payson detention centers.

Missing Payson Man Located in Phoenix Area

The Payson man who was the subject of a Gila County Search and Rescue operation has been located in the Phoenix area. 56 year old Mark Alexander showed up at his sister’s house yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

Alexander called the Sheriff’s Office and explained that he was heading to the Phoenix area to look for work when the quad he was riding broke down. He did not know that the search was going on. He was pushing the quad to his mother’s residence in Phoenix when a passerby finally picked him and the quad up and took them to Phoenix.

Sheriff’s posse member Larry Woolsey lost his life during the search for Alexander.

Search Continues for Missing Man; Posse Member Dies in Fall

The search continues for 56 year old Mark Alexander of Bear Flats. A neighbor told the Gila County Sheriff’s Office that Alexander left his residence Friday morning in an ATV and hasn’t been seen since.

A 77 year old Gila County Sheriff’s posse member died Tuesday night during the search for Alexander. Larry Woolsey was leading his horse across an old dam in the Bear Flat campground area when he lost his footing and fell on rocks 20 feet below. The other posse members and medical crews were unable to revive him.

Sheriff's Office to Honor Dispatchers April 10-16

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center will honor the vital role played by 9-1-1 dispatchers during National Telecommunications Week April 10-16.

Throughout the week small gifts will be delivered to express gratitude to the 20 dedicated Gila County dispatchers who work around the clock, all year long to support the deputies and firefighters in the field and help keep the public safe.