The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was contacted Friday at around 11:00 a.m. about 62 yr old, Robert Bartolucci, who left a suspicious package at the front door of his soon-to-be ex-wife’s home. While on scene, Bartolucci pointed a gun at a construction worker, broke into the residence, and then destroyed the inside of the home.
Witnesses called MCSO and gave the description of his vehicle and plate number.
Another witness later notified sheriff’s deputies that he was in the parking lot of Dunkin Donuts at Ocotillo and RittenHouse sitting in his car and had taken an unknown amount of pills. The witness also said he made statements about wanting to commit suicide by cop.
Deputies responded and approached the car in an attempt to talk him out. Bartolucci displayed his weapon and pointed it at a deputy sergeant. A struggle for the weapon ensued between Bartolucci and the Sergeant. During the struggle Bartolucci successfully pointed the gun at the sergeant’s face but didn’t fire. Bartolucci was quickly secured and cuffed by deputies.
Deputies searched the vehicle and located another gun and extra ammunition plus a zip lock bag of pills were also found in the car. In addition to the weapon and pills, deputies located another suspicious package. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to the location of the car to determine the unknown package was not explosive.
The Bomb Squad also responded to the home to examine the suspicious box and was able to determine the package in front of the home to also be non-explosive.
Robert Bartolucci was transported to the hospital to be evaluated for the pills he had taken and his condition is life threatening at this time.