Driving News, Crime & Press Releases

March 7, 2008 –  Yuma, Arizona

 On 3/4/08 The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in connection with a string of commercial burglaries that had been occurring in the Foothills area. Sergeant Ryland Croutch, while on patrol, observed a subject riding a motorcycle on the sidewalk and went to make contact with him in reference to that violation. During the contact the subject was found to be in possession of a stolen wallet and identification which he had just taken from an employee’s purse in a local business. Subsequently, the subject was questioned about a string of local burglaries that been occurring over the last several weeks.

During the field interview, the subject attempted to flee from the Sergeant but was apprehended a short distance away. During follow up interrogation information linking that subject, and two others, to the recent commercial burglaries was developed. A search warrant was served at 10785 E. 37th Street on 3/4/08 and 3/5/08 which resulted in the recovery of multiple stolen items linked to at least 8 different burglaries. Of particular interest was information linking these suspects to the burglary which resulted in the theft of the ATM machine from Barron Fuel at 2315 E. 16th Street. During the search warrant, Investigators also recovered a stolen soda vending machine which had been buried in the back yard of the residence. Also unearthed during the search was an Arizona Republic newspaper machine, a snack vending machine and a large safe which was linked to a burglary of the Family Dollar Store on Fortuna Road.

During the service of the search warrant, Investigators discovered a 4 year old child in deplorable conditions inside the residence. Child Protective Services was contacted and responded and took custody of that child. That child was the son or suspect Erik Vanderloop and remains in the custody of the state.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office are still investigating this case.
 

	Suspect Erik Vanderloop, 28, of Yuma, is in custody at the Yuma County Jail.
	A second suspect, Joseph Argel, 38, of Yuma, is currently in custody at the Yuma County Jail on unrelated charges and will be charged soon for his involvement in these burglaries.
	A third suspect, John Corey Heggs, 21, of Yuma, is still outstanding and Deputies are actively searching for him. Information has been received that Heggs may have recently shaved his head in an attempt to alter his appearance.

Rhonda Brown, 47, of Yuma Brown was charged with possession of dangerous drugs	Brian Cooper, 28, of Yuma Cooper was charged with possession of dangerous drugs
Todd Easley, 43, of Yuma. Easley was arrested on an outstanding failure to appear warrant	Robert Willis, 32, of Yuma Willis was arrested on an outstanding warrant for DUI