40 arrested in southwest Valley crime suppression sweep
Reported by: Susan Casper
Email: scasper@abc15.com
Reported by: Deborah Stocks
Reported by: Brent Roulier
Last Update: 4/25 4:36 pm


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AVONDALE, Ariz. – Officials say 40 suspects were arrested during a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office crime suppression sweep throughout several southwest Valley cities that ended Friday night.

Of those arrested, 20 were found to be in the country illegally, according to MCSO officials.

According to a Saturday news release, nine undocumented immigrants were booked on state charges and the other 19 were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The others were arrested on a variety of charges ranging from DUI to driving on a suspended license, drug possession and misdemeanor and felony warrants.

Deputies are also investigating a home invasion that occurred just before midnight during the suppression operation. The suspects were reported to be wearing police raid gear and were heavily armed when they kidnapped two victims from a home on the 13000 block of West Campbell.

One of the victims was rescued by deputies and the other is still outstanding. Deputies were also able to recover weapons and the raid gear used in the invasion.

The crime suppression also led deputies on a high-speed pursuit of a suspect who rammed into a deputy’s vehicle trying to evade arrest, according to the report.

The pursuit began when a deputy observed the suspect passing him at over 100 miles per hour and failed to yield as the deputy tried to stop him.

That suspect was subsequently arrested on Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Criminal Damage, Felony Flight, Reckless Driving, Criminal Speed, Driving a Stolen Vehicle, Possessing a Stolen License Plate, Driving on a Suspended License and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

Starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, the sheriff mobilized 200 volunteer posse members and deputies.

The command post for the operation was set up at the Sheriff’s Avondale Office District II sub station, located at 920 E. Van Buren Street, just west of Dysart Road.

Arpaio is expected to return to the command post at about 6 p.m. Friday night, in spite of a reported 60 protesters showing up Thursday, the report said.

The suppression will continue through Friday night.

Sheriff Arpaio has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration, conducting several crime sweeps in predominately Hispanic communities including the cities of Mesa, Buckeye and Guadalupe.

A lawsuit was filed recently accusing Arpaio of specifically targeting Latinos during the sweeps. Since they began last March, sheriff's deputies have made 438 arrests for various violations.

Earlier this month, lawmakers on Capitol Hill began looking into allegations of unconstitutional immigration enforcement tactics by the sheriff, who was not invited to testify before two House Judiciary Subcommittees in Washington, D.C.

"We don't stop people on the street corner and lock 'em up because they look like they're from Mexico or any other country," said Sheriff Joe Arpaio during an interview this week on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. "Pursuant to our duties when we're doing a crime suppression or other operation if we come across illegals we have the training to pursue it."

Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, along with other civil rights leaders, are planning a large demonstration in Phoenix in June. Protest organizers are demanding Arpaio's resignation or removal from office.

Sheriff Arpaio responded in a letter stating:

"While your public outcries are colorful there are several instances where you have inserted yourself into other people's affairs without knowing any of the facts. Poor judgment has caused you plenty of trouble in the past and promises to do so again."


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