Cop Shop

A 17-year-old girl left a ransom note for her grandmother Wednesday afternoon, police say, in an attempt to fake her own kidnapping in Queen Creek.

The girl’s grandmother found the note that said: “You can have your car and daughter back when I decide how much money I want” at 4 p.m. in the teen’s bedroom, according to Pinal County spokeswoman Vanessa White.  The note was signed “Biggie Little,” White said, and added that the grandmother also reported that her vehicle was stolen.

At 1:45 a.m., the 17-year-old girl returned to her father’s home and police discovered the vehicle at a local Fry’s, White said.  According to White, the location of the home was not yet available.

After an investigation, police discovered the kidnapping was staged and false, White said.

The teen was booked into juvenile detention after her arrest, according to White.

The Tribune does not publish the identities of minors involved with police arrests.

A Queen Creek man was taken into police custody on Monday after his wife claimed he dragged her body alongside of his car while she was tangled up inside the vehicle, police say.

The husband, Robert Defeo, was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center on charges of endangerment and assault, according to PCSO spokeswoman Vanessa White.

Defeo’s wife said her husband tried to leave the home, located on the 31000 block of N. Karen Avenue, after they shared a verbal argument at 12 p.m.

She became entangled within the car and dragged alongside after she tried to stop her husband from leaving, White said.

Defeo drove off after his wife released herself from the car, and she was treated on the scene for minor injuries.

Defeo was located a short time later, White said, at the intersection of Ironwood and Baseline Roads and taken into police custody.

A Florence woman reported a domestic disturbance to police Tuesday night after she said her husband tried to strangle her in front of their 3-year-old son.

Police received an emergency call at 9:50 p.m. from the wife of Tyrecce Roberts, claiming Roberts had tried to choke her during a verbal argument in their home, said spokeswoman Vanessa White of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The PCSO booked Roberts into custody Tuesday for disorderly conduct and domestic violence assault, White said.

An 18-year-old girl reported a burglary to Gilbert police early Sunday in order to cover up a house party she hosted at her parent’s home Saturday evening in Queen Creek without their permission.

The girl, Melissa Burns, reported that a large number of her family’s belongings were stolen from the home at the 3800 block of E. Augusta Avenue, near the intersection of Riggs and Recker Roads, said Sgt. Mark Marino of Gilbert police.

Police arrived at the home and discovered that a television had been stolen and there was a large amount of property damage to the home, Marino said.

After further investigation, police found that a party was held at the residence and the burglary call tried to cover up the celebration.

Burns may be charged with filing a false police report, Marino said.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will host a meeting from 7 p.m. to *;30 p.m.  June 25 at Walker Butte K-8, 29697 N. Desert Willow Blvd., to discuss a Region 4, Pinal County Queen Creek area Citizen on Patrol (COP 400) program. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend.

Pinal County Sherrif’s officers Tuesday arrested Sean J. Connelly of Queen Creek on charges of assault and disorderly conduct. No further details are available.

 Pimal County Sheriff’s officers arrested Casey John Benard of Queen  on Tuesday on charges of possession or use of marijuana.

Fire officials from Rural Metro were battling flames from a hay fire at a barn nearGermann and Ellsworth Roads in Queen Creek Tuesday.

The flames , which began around 6 p.m. at a dairy farm engulfed a barn and a nearby building but were under control and had not spread further Tuesday night, according to fire officials.

 There were no reported injuries or livestock injuries though officials expect the flames to smoke and smolder for at least another day after the flames are put out.

According to Rural Metro officials the cause of the fire is still unknown, although they estimate that approximately 600 bales of hay went up in flames.