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Man arrested for vehicle theft from Fountain Hills home where couple was found dead

Posted at 6:08 PM, Jun 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-21 22:07:47-04

A man has been arrested in connection with the theft of a vehicle from a Fountain Hills home where two people were found murdered earlier this month.

RELATED: Suspect in string of Valley murders kills self at Scottsdale hotel

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Joaquin Enriquez said crews on Thursday night recovered the second of two vehicles that were stolen during the June 6 burglary.

Suspect Keith Dees, 42, fled from police near 70th Avenue and McDowell Road, but was apprehended by Phoenix officers.

The Nissan Altima Dees was driving was one of two cars stolen from the home of 70-year-old Mary Simmons and 72-year-old Bryon Thomas. The pair was found dead during a June 4 welfare check at the residence, located near Golden Eagle Boulevard and Sunridge Drive.

It was later discovered that the couple had been acquaintances of 56-year-old Dwight Jones, who was suspected in a series of Valley homicides. 

After responding to the home to check on Simmons and Thomas, authorities discovered the pair had been shot and killed, their home had been burglarized, and two cars had been stolen.

Enriquez said one of the vehicles, a black Mercedes, was recovered on June 8, but MCSO detectives had been continuing to work with local agencies to recover the second stolen car.

According to Enriquez, Dees was booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on one count of theft of means of transportation. Charges on the burglary are pending further investigation.