By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A Safford robbery suspect is in custody Friday night after leading officers on a high-speed chase down Highway 70 and into Thatcher.
According to a Safford news release, officers were dispatched at about 8:13 p.m. to the Dollar General at 1640 W. Thatcher Blvd. regarding an armed robbery.
Prior to officers’ arrival, the suspect – identified at this time only as a 19-year-old Safford resident – had already fled the area in a gold Chevy pickup truck.
Witnesses gave updates to officers for the truck’s location, and the police caught up to the truck as it went eastbound on U.S. Highway 70.
The truck led officers on a “lengthy pursuit” throughout Safford, Thatcher, and unincorporated Graham County until officers disabled the truck through the use of “stop sticks” to puncture the vehicle’s tires.
No injuries were reported, and the suspect was taken into custody. Safford Police were aided in the incident by officers from the Thatcher Police Department and deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
The case currently remains under investigation.
