Prescott eNews

On November 12, 2009, at approximately 7:30 A.M., Yavapai County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Beaver Creek Elementary School in the 4800 block of Beaver Creek Road, Rimrock. Deputies met with school staff and learned that persons unknown had entered the school's bus barn and stole a golf cart and 2008 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Staff also found several two-way radios had been stolen along with most of the keys to the buses and school owned vehicles. Deputies located fresh footprints in the area specific to a type of skate shoe not worn by any of the school employees.

As the investigation continued, deputies located the stolen golf cart on Bentley Drive in Rimrock and found footprints matching those found at the bus barn. The cart was dirty and scratched when found. At this time, school officials were hearing from students the Ford truck could be found crashed in a wash area behind the school. Deputies and school officials hiked along the wash for about a mile and located the Ford truck which was stuck with the back end sitting on the frame. The right front tire was blown out and there were numerous scratches and dents on the vehicle. Again, deputies located shoe prints matching those found at the bus barn.

Deputies returned to school and located several students who identified 2 individuals seen driving the golf cart around the community the previous evening. Additionally, two females, who are sisters ages 12 and 14, had been contacted the previous night by the 2 offenders to meet and see the stolen golf cart. The sisters also told deputies a cell phone video was taken of the two offenders and others driving the stolen golf cart. Deputies recovered this video from Rimrock High student.

After identifying both offenders deputies contacted each of them, along with their parents, and documented admissions regarding the theft of school vehicles and property. Additionally, deputies recovered stolen items from both of their respective homes, and in one case, recovered a stolen two-way radio from a locker at the Camp Verde Middle School where the 11-year-old offender attends school. Both offenders were booked at the Prescott Juvenile Detention Center for Burglary, Theft of Means of Transportation, Theft and Criminal Damage. The 12-year-old offender attends Beaver Creek School.

Deputies also confirmed that the two sisters they had spoken to earlier, had used the golf cart with knowledge it was a stolen vehicle. As a result, they were both arrested and booked at the Prescott Juvenile Detention Center for Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation. Both sisters attend Cottonwood Middle School. One additional arrest is pending involving a juvenile who received and stored some of the stolen property.

All those arrested live in Rimrock.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office with information or questions at
(928) 771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov