Chandler Police Department

Buckle Up Arizona…It’s the Law! Enforcement Campaign

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:16:15 +0000

In an effort to save more lives on Arizona’s roadways this month the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is partnering with The Chandler Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to enforce Arizona’s seat belt and child safety seat laws.

Although Arizona has a secondary seat belt law, the enforcement campaign is based upon high visibility traffic enforcement with a “zero-tolerance” approach towards seat belt and child safety seat usage.

As part of a the national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies across the state will be stepping up traffic enforcement patrols and increasing other enforcement efforts to drive home the message: Buckle Up Arizona…It’s the Law!

Despite widespread efforts to educate drivers about the importance of wearing seat belts, motor vehicles collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and serious injuries to the citizens of our state. The enforcement mobilization will run from May 21 through June 3.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45% – and by 60% for occupants of pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans.

Funding was provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

BUCKLE UP ARIZONA….IT’S THE LAW

Stay Safe this Cinco de Mayo Weekend

Detective Seth Tyler — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:45:35 +0000

The Chandler Police Department is urging the community to be safe and make smart decisions about the dangers of drinking and driving this Cinco de Mayo weekend. Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with a higher than normal volume of alcohol consumption. With Cinco de Mayo falling on a Saturday in 2012, the possibility for alcohol related incidents, particularly impaired drivers on the roadway, may rise.

To combat this, the Department’s Traffic Unit will be conducting a D.U.I. taskforce on Saturday, May 5, 2012 utilizing funds from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Additional officers will be present on Chandler’s roadways Saturday night in an effort to deter and remove impaired drivers from the road. Similar enforcement details will occur throughout metropolitan Phoenix.

If your Cinco de Mayo celebration involves alcohol consumption, please utilize a designated driver. Be extra careful while driving on the roadway, paying particular attention to potential impaired drivers. If you witness a possible impaired driver on the roadway, please contact your local law enforcement by dialing 911.

For additional information please contact Detective Seth Tyler at (480) 782-4105.

Chandler Police Memorial Service

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:45:03 +0000

The Chandler Police Department will be holding a memorial service on May 7th at 9 am to honor the department’s fallen officers. The service will be held at the Chandler Public Safety Memorial, located off of Boston Street between the Chandler Fire Headquarters (151 E. Boston Street) and the Chandler Dispatch Center (221 E. Boston Street). The public is invited to attend the service.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Going Through Chandler

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:18:15 +0000

On Friday, April 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM members of the Chandler Police Department will run from Chandler City Hall to the Gilbert Police Department, carrying the Special Olympics Torch. Members will run, walk and ride bicycles in the event.

The mission of the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run is to raise funds for, and awareness of Special Olympics statewide. To further the Special Olympics philosophy, we will carry the Torch representing the Flame of Hope and dedicate ourselves to helping Special Olympics throughout Arizona.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:16:45 +0000

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

Unused medications can be dropped off at the Chandler Police Department, main

station located at 250 E. Chicago Street. Simply stop by and drop off your unused

medications. There is no paperwork and drop off is done anonymously.

Chandler Detectives Arrest Walmart Thief

Detective Seth Tyler — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:08:40 +0000

On Wednesday April 18, 2012 detectives from the Chandler Police Property Crimes Unit arrested 34-year-old Jason Dee Draper on multiple counts of burglary and trafficking in stolen property. Mr. Draper, a Phoenix resident, is accused of stealing large quantities of high-dollar merchandise from Walmart stores throughout Maricopa County. The suspect is also under investigation for similar burglaries throughout the state.

In Maricopa County alone detectives believe Mr. Draper has stolen $45,000.00 worth of merchandise. During his crime spree the suspect caused $8,000.00 in damages to Walmart stores. After stealing the items, Mr. Draper would either pawn or sell the merchandise on Craigslist. Investigators believe he committed the crimes to support a methamphetamine habit.

Mr. Draper is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail on seven counts of 3^rd Degree Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools, nine counts of 2^nd Degree Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 15 counts of Organized Retail Theft and 2^nd Degree Criminal Trespassing. Additional charges are pending outside Maricopa County.

For additional information please contact Detective Seth Tyler at (480) 782-4105.

Con Man Arrested – Police Seek Additional Victims

Detective Seth Tyler — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:20:28 +0000

On Thursday April 12, 2012 37-year-old Norman Essary was arrested by detectives from the Department’s Financial Crimes Unit on six counts of fraudulent schemes and one count of theft. Mr. Essary allegedly conned four separate victims of $130,000 under a ruse involving the purchase and resale of motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Currently, Mr. Essary is being held on a $25,000 bond at the Maricopa County Jail.

Detectives working this case believe other victims exist but have not yet come forward. Mr. Essary, a self-admitted gambling addict, has many connections within Maricopa County. In the past, Mr. Essary has preyed upon single mothers and other vulnerable women. However, detectives have identified a trend where Mr. Essary has shifted towards self-employed business entrepreneurs and the elderly community.

Attached is a photograph of Mr. Essary. We are urging anybody with information regarding Norman Essary to either contact their local law enforcement or the Chandler Police Department at (480) 782-4130. Please reference police report number 12-023189.

Police Need Help Locating Assault Suspect -CAPTURED 3/3/2012

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:46:05 +0000

Chandler resident Sergio Garcia, 24, is a Hispanic male, 5’6”, 200 pounds, brown eyes, brown hair. Garcia has warrants for his arrest, stemming from a physical assault in Chandler; and he is also wanted for kidnaping and aggravated assault in another Chandler case. Garcia is considered dangerous and should not be approached. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130. Callers may remain anonymous.

Chandler Police Celebrates 2011 Award Recipients

Detective Seth Tyler — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:26:33 +0000

The Chandler Police Department recognized the exceptional efforts of its employees during 2011 at our Annual Awards Ceremony. Department employees gathered on the evening of March 28, 2012 to Celebrate Chandler’s Finest.

Congratulations to the following employees and units who were honored:

The Unit Citation award is presented to a department team or unit whose actions exemplify the mission statement of the Chandler Police Department.

The Planning Unit, which includes Manager Randall Greeley, Tiffany Anderson, Judy Mandt, and Candace Hammond were presented this award along with the Property Crimes Unit, which includes Sergeant Keith Benjamin and Detectives Daniel Mejia, Daniel Hullings, Daniel Mellentine, Beth Hill, Zachary Scott, Wayne Thiry, and Michael West.

The Field Operations Patrol Team of the Year is presented to a patrol team for excellence in the following policing areas:

Beat problem identification and solution
Proactive actions
Self-initiated activity
Major case investigation/ resolution
Calls for service
Community service

This year Team 11, which includes Sergeant Christopher Kush and Officers Marc Olivier, Nicole Kallberg, Scott Peterson, Kevin O’Berry, David Parks, Cornathan Eckwood, Bryant Holmes, and Adam King were presented with this distinction.

The Meritorious Service award is presented to a member of the department who consistently exceeds normal job requirements with at least one specific act of outstanding performance. This may include a member proceeding with a pre-determined plan, program, investigation, or official act that exemplifies the mission statement of the Chandler Police Department.

The 2011 recipients of this award include Ronald Parks, Jason Blaser, Amanda Simington, Officer Zachary Cummard, and Officer Darren Vigesaa.

The Lifesaving Medal is presented to employees directly responsible for saving/ prolonging a human life (extended by days or weeks). A recipient may be any department employee, on or off-duty.

Recipients for this award include Officers Tu Le, William Walker, Robert Krautheim, Jason Alnas, Seth Tyler, Wayne Franks, Brandon Ynclan, and Bradley Carroll.

The Community Service award is presented to an employee who displays extraordinary efforts in serving the community.

Sergeant David Ramer is the 2011 recipient of the Community Service award.

The Communications Employee of the Year award is presented to a member of the Communications Section in recognition of outstanding accomplishment and for facilitating the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.

Martha Russo is the 2011 Communications Employee of the Year award recipient.

The Employee of the Year award is presented to a civilian employee for outstanding performance over a period of one year in achieving departmental goals and objectives through projects, programs, or situations requiring exceptional dedication.

Laura Jordan has been awarded the 2011 Employee of the Year award.

The Officer of the Year award is presented to an officer for distinguished service in any police assignment over a period of one year’s time that is clearly exceptional and places the recipient in a position above other members of the same rank.

Detective Wayne Thiry is the 2011 Officer of the Year.

-END-

Police Need Information In Death Investigation

Sergeant J. Favazzo — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:57:37 +0000

Chandler resident Robert Lopez, 49, was involved in a physical fight on or around March 17, 2012, possibly in the area of Chicago and Dakota Streets in Chandler. Lopez sustained a severe brain injury as a result of that fight, but he waited several days before seeking medical care. Lopez subsequently died on March 25, 2012. Injuries he sustained in the fight may have contributed to his death.

Silent Witness is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information in this case that leads to an arrest or indictment. The Chandler Police Department is encouraging anyone with any information about this case to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130. Callers may remain anonymous.

Robert Lopez