DUI Checkpoints & Crime on the Road, Sobriety Checkpoints

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, a call to Yavapai Silent Witness led to the arrest of homicide suspect Gary Scott, 56, at a campground in the 5700 block of Senator Highway, Prescott.

Dispatch personnel from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office initially received the Silent Witness call this past Saturday alerting them to a murder in Sonoma County, California. Based on the information received, YCSO Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section contacted Sonoma detectives and confirmed their active murder investigation. Sonoma detectives provided investigative leads which identified Prescott resident Gary Scott as one of two suspects in the incident.

YCSO detectives were also provided with a suspect vehicle description and possible location for Scott off of Senator Highway. Using unmarked vehicles, detectives surveyed the area and eventually located the suspect’s vehicle mid-morning on Sunday.

With assistance from Prescott Police Department officers, Scott was taken into custody as he was leaving a cabin at the location. Sonoma County Detectives arrived late Sunday afternoon and were assisted by YCSO Detectives throughout the day and all day Monday.

Scott was booked at the Camp Verde Jail pending a hearing authorizing transfer to California authorities.

The press release from Sonoma County is attached.

YAVAPAI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
255 East Gurley Street
Prescott, Arizona 86301
Media Relations Office
(928)771-3275

County of Sonoma
2796 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2511
www.sonomasheriff.org
Bill Cogbill
Sheriff/Coroner
Press Release

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, at 1202 p.m. Andrew Sharkey came to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department’s main office in Santa Rosa to report a possible murder that occurred in the Guerneville area. A patrol deputy responded and contacted Sharkey in the lobby. Sharkey told the deputy that he had witnessed a murder, which occurred three days ago. After ascertaining preliminary information about the alleged murder, the Violent Crimes Unit was requested to assist in the investigation.

While detectives were interviewing Sharkey, patrol deputies responded to the 17000 block of Orchard Avenue in Guerneville, where the alleged murder occurred. Deputies entered the residence to check on the welfare of the occupants and located a deceased male in one of the bedrooms. The residence was secured and a search warrant was authored and executed.

After several interviews were conducted and physical evidence was collected from the scene, investigative leads identified Andrew Sharkey as one of the suspects that was involved in the murder of Michael Tillman, a 66 year old, Guerneville resident.

As additional information evolved in the case, a second suspect was identified. That suspect’s name is Gary Scott. Scott fled the Guerneville area shortly after the murder and was later located in Arizona. Law enforcement authorities in Arizona were informed of the murder and alerted to be on the look out for Scott. While Sonoma County Detectives were preparing to travel to Arizona they were informed by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona that Scott had been located and taken into custody without incident.

Sonoma County Detectives immediately traveled to Arizona where they met up with Scott and conducted an interview/interrogation. At the conclusion of the interview/interrogation process, Scott remained in custody and the Sonoma County Detectives continued to work in unison with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department conducting peripheral interviews and executing multiple search warrants.

This investigation remains ongoing; therefore no details pertaining to the motive will be addressed at this time. Autopsy results are pending, therefore the cause and manner of death will not be disclosed at this time.

Andrew Brian Sharkey was arrested for murder and an INS immigration hold. Sharkey is a 35 year old, from Blackburn, England. Sharkey also goes by the name, Andrew Dada.

Sanford Gary Scott was arrested for murder. Scott is a 60 year old, from Prescott, Arizona. The deceased victim is Michael Van Tillman, a 67 year old Guerneville resident.

Any press inquiries should be referred to Sergeant Tim Duke of the Violent Crimes Investigations Unit. Refer to case #090727-016.
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