We’ve all seen the cameras at the pumps and the signs reminding us that stealing gas is a crime. Still, occasionally someone will attempt to leave the gas station without paying for the fuel they filled up on. This story is a little different.

According to azfamily.com 29-year old Scott Varetto was seen climbing the wall outside of a tow yard on Route 66, stealing a gas can, filling his car and driving away. Unfortunately for Varetto, someone saw him and called the police.

When Yavapai County Sherriff’s Department caught up with Varetto’s vehicle they found more than stolen gas. The suspect had in his possession a driver’s license which he said he created on his computer. He lied. The id belonged to a citizen of New Mexico, landing Varetto an identity theft charge. [read more...]

You can bet that on nearly any holiday weekend DUI arrests increase. People are out partying and celebrating, having a good time. St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday often marked by green beers, Guinness, and Jameson whiskey. Young people in particular use this holiday to celebrate a lot more than the Saint it was named after.

Police know this and many departments across Arizona set up DUI checkpoints to last throughout the weekend and into Tuesday night. This early report from ABC15.com pointed out that arrests were already mounting as the weekend got underway. In an effort to reduce accidents and deaths caused by DUI’s on this holiday weekend, police were out in full force.

In the Valley, eight police departments united to make 276 arrests throughout the entire holiday weekend. According to the Arizona Republic 74 of those arrests were considered “extreme”, or incidents where the suspects blood alcohol level was more than .15%. [read more...]

Peggy Moore befriended her older neighbor after the neighbor’s husband passed. She helped her with finances and things the woman didn’t feel she could handle on her own. Moore likely gained her neighbor’s trust without the woman even realizing she was about to be taken advantage of. The elderly woman appointed Moore power of attorney.

According to the Phoenix news, the elderly woman slowly became ill and was no longer mentally competent to handle her financial and personal affairs. This is when Moore allegedly began taking advantage of her position with the woman.

Over a period, Moore signed the woman’s home into her own name and purchased a few high dollar vehicles. She also reportedly paid her own bills with the money according to the police’s probable cause statement. [read more...]