A man from Aguila, just west of Wickenburg, is behind bars after allegedly assaulting his wife following a high-speed chase last week, according to Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.
On April 20 at approximately 12 p.m., deputies responded to a reported family fight at the Congress Elementary School, where they met the victim.
The victim apparently told deputies she had been in an argument with her husband, 23-year-old Anival Diaz-Moreno, when she decided to leave their Aguila home.
She left with her 4-year-old daughter and drove towards Congress on Highway 71, when a car driven by Moreno pulled behind her and started flashing the vehicle headlights in an attempt to make her stop, according to YCSO.
When she refused to pull over, Moreno allegedly began bumping his car into hers as she tried to escape by increasing her speed to 90 mph.
After briefly gaining some space between her car and his, Moreno managed to pull in front of her vehicle and began reducing his speed causing her to slow down, according to the report.
When she tried to pass, Moreno apparently blocked her movement until she was forced to stop.
According to YCSO, Moreno then got out of his car, opened the victim’s car door and struck her in the face.
When Moreno began choking her, she reportedly put the car in reverse and began dragging Moreno alongside the car while he continued to choke her.
When he was finally forced to release his grip, the victim put the car in drive and was able to leave Moreno behind, according to YCSO.
Moreno caught up to the victim, again, and allegedly attempted to force her off the roadway several times, but was unsuccessful.
She exited the highway on a side street and headed towards the YCSO substation in Congress. Moreno did not follow her, but instead continued down the highway.
Following the interview with the victim, deputies arranged safe-house accommodations for the victim and her child.
Deputies said they noticed injuries consistent with the victim’s story. The 4-year-old was scared, but was not physically harmed.
On Thursday, a YCSO sergeant was able to locate Moreno at his home and placed him under arrest.
He was charged with nine felony counts of aggravated assault and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center. He is being held on a $100,000 bond and due in court April 30.
