MESA, AZ — A manhunt for an "armed, wanted suspect" in the East Valley lasted several hours Thursday.
Update: After a man hunt and a multi-agency response the armed wanted suspect has been taken into custody. All lockdowns have been lifted and there is no threat to the community. We appreciate the help of everyone involved, thank you pic.twitter.com/5TsoProLXS
— @SgtJEnriquez (@SgtJEnriquez) February 1, 2024
Authorities say they were first alerted of the string of crimes around 6 a.m. when patrol deputies were called to the area of Crismon Road and Apache Trail for an armed robbery of a business.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says Thomas Zavala and an unknown woman arrived at the business on a golf cart and were armed with an "AR-style" rifle and broke into an occupied business.
The man fired multiple rounds into the business before taking off, authorities said.
Deputies later located the abandoned golf cart near 105th Place and University Drive.
MCSO eventually learned that Zavala had allegedly stolen the golf cart and several rifles earlier in the morning from a nearby home.
Zavala was eventually tracked to a wash area where he then reportedly stole a car. While trying to drive off, he allegedly caused a crash with another car near Hawes and McKellips roads.
He again ran from the scene.
Authorities eventually located Zavala in a wash area near the crash site and took him into custody.
Zavala faces 11 charges including burglary, aggravated assault, criminal damage, and theft of a vehicle.
MCSO has not clarified the role the woman may have had in the crimes or if she had been taken into custody at any point.
An investigation remains ongoing.
Watch video from the scene in the player below:
Air15 video from the scene showed a truck crashed into an overpass, another vehicle on its roof nearby, and approximately 20 police vehicles at the scene.
