Apache County Sheriff’s Office Joseph Dedman Jr., Sheriff

 For Release: August 29^th, 2017                                        CONTACT: Shane Bevington

 Law Enforcement Search for Stolen Vehicle Suspect in Vernon Area

(Vernon, AZ) On August 29^th, 2017, at approximately 12:29pm, the Apache County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dispatch Center received a telephone call from the Show Low Police Department. Dispatchers were advised that Show Low police officers were following a stolen semi-truck tractor, which was originally reported stolen out of Mesa, into Apache County via U.S. Route 60. Officers followed the stolen vehicle from a safe distance and no pursuit was initiated due to public safety concerns.

The driver of the stolen vehicle reportedly reached speeds in excess of 80 miles per hours, at which time the driver turned the vehicle south of Apache County Road 3140, Vernon. A short time later, the stolen vehicle was located on Apache County Road 3140 near Forest Road 3, unoccupied.

Law enforcement personnel from the Apache County Sheriff’s Office, Show Low Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, United Stated Forest Service, Arizona Game & Fish, and White River Police Department quickly set up a perimeter around the area and began searching for the suspect. Shortly after, Apache County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Vernon Elementary School and advised school administration to place the school on lockdown as a precaution, although there was no indication that the suspect fled towards the school. The lockdown was later lifted without incident.

The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time and it is not known if he is armed, however, he is described as a Caucasian male, with dark hair, a dark beard, and wearing glasses. The suspect’s age and clothing description is unknown. Law enforcement personnel, including an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter and Arizona Department of Corrections K-9’s are still in the area searching for suspect.

For additional information, please visit the Apache County Sheriff’s Office website at: http://www.co.apache.az.us/sheriff. Anyone with any information regarding this matter is urged to contact the Apache County Sheriff’s Office at: (928)337-4321 or 1-800-352-1850. If there is an emergency, please dial 911.

The National Weather Service of Flagstaff reports the following flash flood information:

Widespread abundant moisture will combine with an upper level disturbance moving westward across the area today and into early Wednesday morning. Because of this combination there is an elevated risk of flash floods occurring across all of Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai, and Northern Gila Counties.

Storms will develop in the early afternoon hours similar to any normal monsoon day, however more widespread and stronger storms are expected to form near the disturbance as it moves west across northern Arizona Tuesday night into Wednesday. The strongest storms will have rainfall rates in excess of 1 to 2 inches per hour and could easily overwhelm flood prone locations. Because of this elevated threat, a Flash Flood Watch has been issued from 11 am Today until 7 pm Wednesday evening.

Flash Flood Watch

A flash flood watch means that developing conditions may lead to flash flooding within the watch area. People, especially those located along area creeks, rivers, or other flash flood prone areas, should continue to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take immediate action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Flash Flood Safety

During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television. Know what to do:

1. GET TO HIGHER GROUND: Get out of the areas subject to flooding
2. DO NOT DRIVE INTO WATER: Do not drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6″ of water to knock you off your feet.
3. STAY INFORMED: Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates.

Apache and Navajo County, as well as partnering cities, towns and National Forests, will jointly lift fire restrictions throughout the region today at 2 p.m.

Despite the lifting of fire restrictions, the public is urged to stay vigilant and safe while exploring the outdoors. Make sure campsites are cleared of dry debris before lighting a fire, and always completely extinguish your fire before leaving (drown, stir and drown again). If a fire is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!