Just before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Black Canyon City area regarding a domestic violence incident involving 54-year-old Scott Albert Wayne, who was reportedly roaming around town and possibly armed. Wayne also had a felony warrant out of California listing him as armed and dangerous.
Wayne was eventually spotted around 2:00 p.m. attempting to hide in a river bed area off Tara Springs Road by a DPS Ranger helicopter crew. Deputies approached and Wayne claimed he was carrying an explosive device in his pants pockets. A fire in the area was also detected and may have been started by Wayne.
Deputies backed away and directed Wayne to remain in an open area of the river bed. A containment was set around him and bomb squad technicians from the Department of Public Safety were requested. Wayne was cooperative pending their arrival. Once on scene, the bomb squad techs were able to eventually approach Wayne and render the apparent explosive device safe and take him into custody – see photo. The arrest occurred around 5 PM.
During the incident, deputies located a firearm Wayne hid in the river bed. The handgun is likely connected to the original domestic violence incident. The victim is safe. The fire was eventually extinguished by local fire personnel.
US Marshalls and the YCSO Swat team were on scene throughout the incident.