Pima County deputies were conducting extra patrols in the Camino Verde Estates area due to a recent increase in burglaries at that location on November 20, when resident told them about a suspicious vehicle they had observed in the neighborhood. The deputy located the white Chevrolet pickup truck occupied by two Hispanic males in front of a residence in the 6300 block of West Desert Laurel Lane and conducted a traffic stop.
When walking up to the vehicle, the deputy noticed some items in the bed of the truck which he suspected might have been stolen. The pickup truck then suddenly fled from the stop location at a high rate of speed and a pursuit was initiated. At one point the vehicle came straight at the patrol car and the deputy had to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid being hit head on.
After several minutes of pursuit, the pickup crashed and rolled over in the vicinity of Dakota Street and Caballo Road. Two male individuals, later identified as Ricardo Valdez, age 18, and Rey Castillo, age 25, were seen climbing out of the wrecked truck and then fled on foot. They were apprehended by deputies shortly after they had crashed.
Valdez was subsequently transported to University of Arizona Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries he suffered during the rollover.
Pim County Deputies determined that the items in the bed of the truck had been stolen from a burglary that occurred in the 5300 block of South Spencer Road. Valdez was arrested on charges of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Criminal Damage, Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement and Endangerment. Castillo was arrested on charges of Criminal Trespassing and unrelated warrants. Both were booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center. The investigation continues and additional charges are pending.