On May 6, at 7:00 a.m., Mesa Police Officers were dispatched to the 7/11 store located at 815 S. Dobson Road in reference to a robbery which just occurred. The clerk reported a male, entered the store, and displayed a black handgun from his sweatshirt and demanded cash from the register.
The suspect was observed getting into a dark colored truck driven by another male suspect and fleeing the scene. This vehicle was located by responding patrol officers minutes after the robbery. Officers attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to yield and was observed driving at a high rate of speed through red lights as it fled on Alma School Road. The truck attempted to enter the US 60 freeway on ramp, but the driver lost control and struck a freeway fence, a signal light on the on ramp, and a retention wall. Both suspects immediately fled the vehicle across the US 60 on foot. Both were apprehended by patrol units soon afterward.
The driver has been identified as 19 year old Damarques Hunter. Hunter admitted to driving the vehicle to the 7/11, parking it in the rear of the business and fleeing the scene in it when the co-defendant returned from the robbery. Hunter admitted to seeing the police cars and hearing a siren during the attempted traffic stop.
The co-defendant sustained an arm injury from the crash and was transported to the Hospital. He is expected to be charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Misconduct involving weapons-Prohibited possessor, and Possession of Dangerous drugs for Sale upon his release from the hospital.
Hunter has been charged and booked for Armed Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Unlawful flight from pursuing law enforcement vehicle, Endangerment, Criminal Damage, and Failure to remain at the Scene of a Collision.