Suspect leads authorities south of Phoenix after fleeing during stop

PHOENIX - Two suspects who led police on a chase south of Phoenix Tuesday night were taken into custody in a mountain range near Casa Grande.

A third suspect is believed to still be on the loose as officers continued their search on the side of the Sacaton mountain range late Tuesday.

The suspects took authorities from several Valley agencies on a nearly 50-mile chase before ditching their stuck vehicle in the desert in Casa Grande.

ABC15 video showed the two men on a rocky hillside as a Department of Public Safety helicopter hovered overhead. Phoenix police say five suspects in the auto-theft case were already in custody.

Phoenix Police Sergeant Steve Martos said detectives from the Auto Theft Task force were conducting surveillance on a reported stolen vehicle around 3 p.m.

The vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the day and was equipped with Lojack.

During the surveillance, detectives reportedly observed a number of individuals in and around the stolen vehicle. They also apparently saw a white Ford Expedition dropping off individuals where the stolen vehicle was parked.

Around 7 p.m. the stolen vehicle was reportedly driven away from an apartment complex in west Phoenix.

Martos said the vehicle was occupied by four Hispanic males.

Detectives also observed a second pick-up truck leave the complex with the first stolen vehicle. It was later determined the second vehicle was also stolen and had two occupants, according to Martos.

Detectives got assistance from the Phoenix Air Unit and a Phoenix Police K9. Unmarked vehicles followed both stolen vehicles as they traveled eastbound on Interstate 10.

Detectives were not in pursuit of these vehicles at this time and the suspects were apparently unaware they were being followed.

The suspects allegedly drove the stolen vehicles to the Circle K store located at 32nd Street and Broadway Road where the drivers exited the vehicles.

Detectives attempted to arrest all these individuals.

One suspect reportedly fled on foot northbound along 32nd street.

Martos said the suspect was then picked up by the same white Ford Expedition which was seen earlier during the initial surveillance.

Five suspects were detained in the Circle K parking lot.

Two patrol officers chased the fleeing suspect on foot northbound on 32nd Street and attempted to stop the Ford Expedition once the suspect got inside, but witnesses said the driver accelerated toward one of the officers who was giving commands.

Martos said two officers fired one round each at the vehicle. The suspects then fled eastbound on I-10 towards Casa Grande.

ABC15 video showed the SUV heading south toward Casa Grande and getting stuck in loose dirt after it went over a dry canal.

With the assistance of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Gila River police, Mesa police, and Phoenix officers, two individuals were arrested after allegedly bailing out of the vehicle once it was stopped in the desert.

A third individual is still at large and is being sought.

A DPS officer reportedly sustained a minor injury during the initial stop at Circle K. As the officer attempted to grab a fleeing suspect, a Phoenix Police K9 bit the officer on the left arm.

His injury is non-life threatening and he is received medical care at an area hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and involves a number of departments with a number of scenes.

Martos said a total of seven Hispanic male suspects were detained in this incident, but no one has been booked so names are not available at this time.