HUMBOLDT, AZ – An armed suspect was captured near Humboldt over the weekend after being pursued by police for three hours, according to officials.
Authorities with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of a family fight in the Northern Arizona town around 11 a.m. Saturday.
Deputies were contacted by the man’s girlfriend who warned deputies that her boyfriend, 46-year-old Bruce Burger, was extremely distraught and armed with a rifle inside the home.
Officials said Burger claimed he had been "wronged" by several people and threatened to "take them out."
YCSO deputies brought the woman to a safe area and set surveillance on the home.
Authorities followed Burger as he drove around the area and eventually tried to stop him by activating their overhead lights, but officials said Burger did not stop and instead drove into an area of heavy brush where deputies lost his trail.
Neighbors in the area contacted deputies after discovering that Burger had intentionally rammed his truck into a water tank and attached control panel. Neighbors also alerted deputies to prior threats by Burger when he lived in the area.
The YCSO Swat team was alerted after another witness told deputies he had just seen Burger point his rifle towards deputies searching the area.
According to officials, a DPS Ranger helicopter was called to assist along with ground units from DPS and US Forest Service Law Enforcement.
The Ranger helicopter crew eventually located Burger's truck as he was driving and deputies were able to locate him a short while later at approximately 2 p.m.
YCSO officials said a rifle was recovered from Burger's truck and he was also found with several rounds of ammo on his person, and extra ammo in the truck.
Burger was charged with disorderly conduct per domestic violence, aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, flee pursing law enforcement, threatening and criminal damage.
