PHOENIX — From a deadly crash on Interstate 10 to Border Patrol agents arresting suspected cartel scouts, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from Feb. 28 – March 2.
4 dead, 8 injured after massive crash on Interstate 10 west of Valley
Four individuals are dead and eight others were hospitalized after a crash on I-10 west of Tonopah on Saturday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
In a Sunday morning update, DPS announced that four people died, two remain in critical condition, one is receiving treatment and five others have been released from the hospital.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said the crash happened near milepost 88, west of Tonopah, just prior to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Border Patrol agents in Arizona arrest suspected cartel scouts, 1 foot guide
Southern Arizona Border Patrol agents arrested suspected cartel scouts and one foot guide connected to the Los Memos transnational criminal group, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Friday.
On Monday, Border Patrol agents near the city of Maricopa and north of Interstate 8 arrested one Mexican national, who confessed to illegally crossing the Arizona border. After further investigation, agents obtained “communication and observation devices” from the unnamed man.
The next day, a separate group of Border Patrol agents in northwest Marana arrested a Mexican and Guatemalan pair hanging out in the Silverbell Mountains. The agents seized similar surveillance devices.
Arizona financial advisor sentenced for defrauding elderly client
A past Morgan Stanley financial advisor who pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly client out of nearly $900,000 in July 2024 was sentenced to 22 months in prison, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced Friday.
Ronald Diaz, now 41 and of Tucson, pleaded guilty on July 18 to a scam in which he pocketed $867,000 between November 2020 and July 2022 while falsely guaranteeing a 10% return to a client, according to Arizona prosecutors.
The Tucson man was originally scheduled for a Sept. 27 sentencing last year. Charges of wire fraud against Diaz could have resulted in a maximum sentencing of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Police release identity of off-duty Glendale officer who died in motorcycle crash
Police released the identity of the off-duty Glendale officer who died Thursday morning in a motorcycle crash.
Jesse Rodriguez, 27, died on impact when his motorcycle was involved in a crash in the median on Happy Valley Road, according to an ABC15 report.
He served as a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve and had worked for the Glendale Police Department for nearly three years.
Maricopa County celebrates new affordable housing community in Buckeye
Maricopa County representatives on Thursday commemorated the grand opening of an affordable housing development in Buckeye, according to a press release.
Solana Villas, which consists of 200 one-to-three bedroom units, is accepting applications from individuals with an income at or below 60% of the county’s Area Median Income (AMI).
The new apartment complex is located just west of Buckeye Union High School at 25201 W. MC 85.
