On the morning of August 26th, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the theft of a large water pump from a farm. Deputies found that someone had damaged a canal pump in the area.
The suspect(s) ruined the pump by removing several functional parts including a large radiator, piping, water meter and fuel reservoir. The stolen parts were valued at over $6,600 and the damage to the pump was $1,800.
Deputies took photos of the tire impressions left by the suspect vehicle. The tire impressions were distinct due to the fact the suspect vehicle had three of the same tires and one different tire which left a different tread impression in the dirt.
Deputies searched a nearby neighborhood and located a vehicle backed into a residence in the 400 block of West Taylor Avenue in Coolidge. The tires on the vehicle matched the distinct tread impression left in the dirt at the scene. At the residence, deputies contacted Kirt Watts, age 56, of Coolidge.
Watts denied being involved with the theft of the water pump. He said that he was visiting a friend at the address, but that he lived in the 1000 block of South 3rd Street in Coolidge. Watts also said that he stayed with his mother at another nearby residence.
Watts was allowed to leave the residence, and deputies continued to investigate. A short time later, a deputy responded to Watts’ residence and could see in plain view in his yard the items stolen from the water pump. The victim of the water pump theft also responded to the residence and positively identified the equipment as being stolen from his farm.
PCSO Property Crimes Detectives took over the investigation. A search warrant was obtained and the items were recovered, except for the radiator. Watts was located and arrested at his mother’s residence.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “When detectives spoke with Watts, he denied stealing the items but rather said he found all of the items scattered in the desert. Evidence at the scene and the fact he was still covered in grease and oil from when he disassembled the water pump, along with other evidence, confirmed he did steal the items and damaged the pump. He was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage.”