On November 17, 2014, just after 2 PM, 20-year-old Joseph Hartzler from Phoenix was arrested near the KOA campground located in the 196000 block of St. Joseph’s Way, Black Canyon City. Hartzler was charged with Theft of Means of Transportation, Theft- Deprive Property or Services, Possession of Burglar Tools, Possess Narcotic Drug / Prescription Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He remains in-custody on a $25,000 bond.
Around 12:40 PM on November 17, 2014, YCSO deputies were dispatched to the Rock Springs Café, in the 35700 block of Old Black Canyon Highway, regarding 2 suspicious men who had been loitering in the parking lot for hours. The first deputy arrived and found the 2 men sitting in a white 1994 Lincoln Town car. After obtaining identification from one of the men (later identified as Hartzler), the deputy walked back to his vehicle to complete a records check. When the deputy distanced himself from the Town car, both males exited the car and ran to the rear of the Café out of sight. When the license plate number on the Town car was checked, it returned classified as a stolen vehicle from the Phoenix area. Assisting deputies and DPS officers arrived to search for the suspects. The Town car’s ignition was found damaged.
Just after 2 PM, a DPS officer saw a possible suspect crossing the east side of the I17 near the KOA campground and was able to detain the suspect. The deputy, who had been first to arrive at the Café, confirmed the identity of the male as Joseph Hartzler. The deputy arrested Hartzler for Vehicle Theft. Hartzler refused to discuss any knowledge of the stolen vehicle or drugs found in his backpack and inside the Town car’s passenger compartment. The drugs include marijuana and prescription narcotics.
The owner of the vehicle was contacted in Phoenix and indicated her car had just been stolen that morning. She was very pleased to hear it had been recovered.
During the investigation, deputies were able to identify the second suspect for an arrest warrant. It is expected he will be in-custody soon.