On Tuesday May 3, 2016, a YCSO deputy was flagged down by a Meals on Wheels Volunteer wanting to report a theft that occurred from a home in the 10000 block of Highway 69 in Mayer AZ. The resident and victim, a 47-year-old disabled man, told the volunteer that a man staying in his home had stolen his debit card. The victim did not have a working phone and was unable to call the Sheriff’s Office immediately.
The deputy contacted the victim who explained he allowed a homeless man, identified as 34-year-old Mitchell Shields, to stay with him the last few days. Shields had recently asked the victim if he could borrow his debit card, and the victim told him no. This morning, the debit card was missing from his wallet. Unfortunately, the victim also kept the card’s PIN on a piece of paper in his wallet. The deputy alerted area units to watch for Shields and during a records check, discovered Shields had a valid parole violation warrant.
A short time later, Mitchell was located on Miami Street in Mayer. When deputies contacted him, Mitchell gave the first name of Robert. Deputies had already obtained his driver’s license photo and showed it to “Robert” who then admitted he was Mitchell Shields. When Shields was searched, deputies recovered $300.00 in twenty dollar denominations, a used syringe, five gift cards, a Chase debit card in a different name, the victim’s debit card and associated debit card receipts from the local Circle K and Family Dollar stores. Shields was arrested.
The victim closed his bank account and the following day, the deputy returned the victim’s stolen cash. Because the victim is on a very limited income, the cash was very much appreciated.
Shields was booked on several charges including Identity Theft, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Theft x7, and Computer Fraud. He is being held without bond on a parole warrant.