On Sunday, March 1, 2015, at approximately 3:25 p.m., the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of the 11300 block of S. Avenue 9E in reference to two subjects running through residential yards. During the search of the area, YCSO and the Yuma Police Department received additional calls in reference to two male subjects seen running from a vacant trailer with handguns.
One of the suspects was seen jumping the west wall of the Victory Community Church and shortly after, the YCSO and YPD set up a perimeter outside of the church. During the initial search of the outer perimeter, officers found a broken window on the west side of the church along with evidence that led them to believe the suspect was inside. Multiple attempts were made to make contact with the suspect without success. After the failed attempts to make contact with the suspect, the YCSO Special Response Team and YPD officers made entry into the 2-story church. Officers located evidence inside the church which led the team to the second story where a noise was heard coming from the attic of the church.
Deputies made entry into the attic and searched for over an hour without success. A secondary search of the attic was conducted. Evidence was located in the southeast corner of the attic which led officers to believe that the suspect was hiding in the walls. With the assistance of the Yuma Fire Department and their heat sensing device, it was confirmed that a body was in fact between the wall and air duct of the church. When the suspect was located, he acknowledged the officers; however, he refused to come out or comply with commands. As a result, officers cut out a hole in the wall where the suspect was believed to be located in an attempt to apprehend him. Once the hole was cut, it was discovered that the suspect had moved and was attempting to flee through the attic to avoid being captured. Officers were able to apprehend the suspect in a closet located on the second floor as he was attempting to come out of the attic.
The suspect, identified as Richard Morales Alejandre, 27, of Yuma, was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for trespass, aggravated criminal damage and two unrelated felony warrants.
Anyone with information regarding this case, please contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit our website at www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.