The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Florence Police Department, helped (GHOST) take Daniel Villanueva, 18, into custody.
Villanueva was wanted for a burglary out of Florence where two guns, a .357 handgun and an AR 15 were stolen along with a fully loaded AR15 magazine and 500 rounds of ammunition. Shortly after the break-in, the suspect used a handgun during a domestic violence situation. Villanueva also had a warrant out for his arrest for a Felony Probation Violation for Robbery. Villanueva was considered armed and dangerous with violent tendencies, escape risk and a known drug user.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Gang and Habitual Offender Strike Team (GHOST) was able to gather information on the suspect’s location. Florence detectives notified GHOST that the suspect was armed with one of the guns he stole from the burglary in Florence.
On Thursday, December 14th, GHOST team members located the suspect and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on him but he took off, taking deputies on a six minute pursuit through the city of Coolidge. The suspect then bailed and took off running. GHOST team members saw the suspect reach into his waistband during the foot pursuit.
Villanueva was apprehended by GHOST team members as he attempted to climb onto a roof of a Coolidge residence.
A weapon, found to be the handgun stolen from the burglary in Florence, was recovered in the area where Villanueva was arrested.
Villanueva is facing the following charges: Burglary, 2 counts of Theft of a Firearm, Misconduct involving Weapons, Threatening and Intimidating, Unlawful Flight, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Probation Violation.