The Tucson Police Department is actively investigating a carjacking incident involving Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.
On February 18, 2017, just before 11:00 a.m., officers from Operations Division Midtown responded to the area of North Tucson Boulevard and E. 5th Street for a report of a carjacking involving the mayor. Upon arrival, officers learned that the mayor was walking to his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown male who was armed with a handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the mayor and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The suspect took the keys and then fled in the mayor’s city owned, Toyota Prius.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Robbery Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation. They learned that the suspect had attempted to take a different vehicle in the area shortly before approaching the mayor. In that incident, the suspect entered a vehicle parked in front of a residence. As he attempted to take the vehicle, he was approached by the residents of the home who advised they were calling the police. The suspect fled on foot and a neighbor began chasing him. During the chase, the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the neighbor who then stopped following. Moments later, the suspect ran into the mayor and took his vehicle at gunpoint. As the suspect was fleeing in the vehicle, he pointed an unknown object at a mail carrier that was in his way. Thankfully, none of the victims involved were injured.
The suspect is described as a 30 to 40-year-old African American male, approximately 5’10 to 6’0.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., the mayor’s vehicle was located abandoned in the area of East 36th Street and South Forgeus Avenue. The suspect has not been apprehended.
Based on the entire investigation, it does not appear that the suspect was specifically targeting the mayor. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME. You can remain anonymous.