On September 16, 2012, just before 11PM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Chevron Station in Cordes Lakes, just off I17, regarding the theft of a vehicle. The deputy arrived within 5 minutes and contacted a man and his wife who explained that their rental car, a silver 4 door Ford sedan, had just been stolen by 2 armed suspects. The victims were sleeping in the rental car behind the Chevron when two male suspects forced them outside at gunpoint. As soon as the deputy had basic information, he quickly completed a statewide alert to law enforcement agencies describing the suspects and stolen vehicle. This action immediately increased opportunity for any law enforcement officer to link the suspects and vehicle to this crime if stopped.
A witness came forward to tell deputies he had seen the suspects earlier near the McDonalds/Chevron parking area acting suspicious and looking into unoccupied cars. He described the suspects as 2 black males. One suspect was approx. 5'10," 150lbs, wearing a red flannel shirt, jeans and flip flops. The other suspect was 5'6," 150lbs, wearing shorts and tennis shoes.
The victims, who arrived at Sky Harbor from London just a few hours prior, provided additional details regarding the robbery. They were exhausted from the flight and decided to park behind the Cordes Junction Chevron near the tractor/trailer rigs and rest. When the suspects first approached, the victims thought they were security guards. One of the suspects suddenly became aggressive and brandished a firearm ordering both victims away from the car. The suspects allowed them to take some of their clothing and luggage but made sure to steal a GPS unit, $1000 in cash, cell phones, and their rental car. The victims begged both suspects to release their passports as this insured the ability to travel home quickly and see their children. One of the suspects relinquished a purse which did contain the passports. All the cash in the purse had been stolen. The suspects fled in the rental vehicle, drove towards the I17 and out of sight.
As the deputy was assisting victims to a nearby hotel, he learned a DPS officer spotted the stolen vehicle travelling well over 100 mph in Phoenix just before midnight. The officer pursued the vehicle which eventually stopped in the 8700 block of N. 30th Ave. Both suspects fled. One was caught right away and thanks to a Phoenix PD air unit, the second suspect was caught soon after. (Further information regarding the Phoenix PD pursuit and weapons search was not available as of this writing).
The suspects were identified as Phoenix residents Devaughn Curry and Tarik McCowin, both 17 years of age. McCowin was the suspect who was caught with assistance from the Phoenix PD helicopter. Deputies met with the DPS officer in Black Canyon City and took custody of Curry and McCowin.
Deputies recovered the victim’s property, including cash – The suspects had already split the stolen cash and each was in possession of $500.00. Both were booked at the Prescott Juvenile Detention Center on charges including Robbery, Theft of a Vehicle, and Theft.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov
