The deputy was traveling eastbound on Interstate-8 when he tried to stop a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to yield, and the driver accelerated the vehicle to get away. The pursuit continued eastbound on Interstate-8 until the vehicle reached Bianco Road exit at which time the vehicle exited the Interstate and turned southbound. The vehicle continued driving until it reached the Central Arizona Canal at which point it turned westbound. The vehicle stopped after traveling along the canal bank for approximately three-quarters of a mile.
The doors to the vehicle opened and two or three Hispanic males ran southbound into the desert. One of the males was carrying a large bundle. The driver of the vehicle then continued to travel westbound and finally turned northbound into the desert. The vehicle suddenly stopped and the driver fled carrying a large bundle as well.
The deputy cleared the vehicle and discovered it was being used to transport marijuana. The vehicle contained five bundles of packaged marijuana. While deputies were looking for the suspects, they came across another bundle which appeared to be the same one the driver was seen running away with after the vehicle had stopped.
The driver and passengers were never found. The six bundles of marijuana along with the vehicle were seized. The marijuana weighed 128 pounds with a street value of $96,000.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “When our deputies investigate these types of cases, we seize the vehicles and many times the cash and other assets used during the commission of the crime. We then go through the courts and request the money and other assets be turned over to our office for a lawful purpose. During the past four years, we have provided several hundred thousand dollars of these seized funds to support youth programs, domestic violence shelters and other organizations which support victims of crimes.”