CORDES LAKES, AZ -- A man staying with a friend at a house in Northern Arizona was arrested on Friday for stealing credit cards and jewelry from the home, then using some of the stolen items to buy liquor and make internet purchases.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies said they were first made aware of the crime after getting called out to a home near Cordes Lake for alleged drug activity.
Spokesperson Dwight Develyn said when deputies arrived at the home, they detained a man who was trying to leave in a white Buick sedan.
After speaking with the suspect, Develyn said deputies found a loaded black handgun in between the seats of his car and determined the suspect was already on probation with a prior felony conviction. They arrested him.
Develyn said the suspect, 20-year-old Bradley Grantham of Spring Valley, initially resisted the arrest, but was able to be handcuffed without injury.
Before Grantham’s vehicle was towed, deputies also found several credit cards and sheets of blank checks that were not under Grantham’s name.
Deputies then found a sheet of paper with a credit card confirmation number and a pin number, along with a digital camera, jewelry and coins that were hidden inside of a beanie.
Grantham told deputies that the property belonged to his friend’s parents, but denied taking them and failed to provide an explanation of how they ended up in his possession, Develyn said.
After further investigation, Develyn said deputies confirmed the items had come from a home in Spring Valley.
The owner of the items said that at least one of the credit cards had been used fraudulently for internet purchases and a liquor purchase in Spring Valley.
The owner also told deputies she had a friend housesit for her the previous week and suspected the thefts occurred during the time she was gone.
Deputies later found the person who had been watching the owner's house during that time. She claimed no knowledge of the thefts, but said she had invited Grantham over.
The investigation into the initial drug allegations and theft of property continue.
Grantham was taken to the Camp Verde Detention Center.
He was booked on several charges including Felon in Possession of Firearm, Resist Arrest, Take Control of Credit Card from Another and Theft of Property.
