Pinal County Deputy Rammed During A Traffic Stop, Suspect Arrested

On Wednesday just after midnight, a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over the driver of a black sedan, 21-year-old Charles Butler of Coolidge, near Hunt Highway and American Way.

According to authorities, “an attempt-to-locate was put out on the vehicle in connection to a burglary at McDonald’s in Coolidge,” earlier.

The deputy asked Butler to turn off his vehicle and step out of the car. As the deputy approached the vehicle, Butler stepped out for a few seconds, then jumped back into his vehicle and took off. The deputy struggled to turn the vehicle off before running back to his patrol car. He barely made it inside before Butler rammed his vehicle into the driver side of the patrol car.

Butler’s car became disabled and the suspect took off running. Deputies continued to search for Butler.

Around 4:30 a.m., a woman called 911 after she discovered her car and rifle were missing. The woman said she was concerned about the police activity that was in the area as deputies searched for Butler. She took out her rifle. At some point, Butler broke into her home while she and her disabled son were sleeping. The child told police that he thought he saw someone in the home during the night.

At 7:30 a.m., investigators received a tip that Butler was at a home near Ocotillo and Gantzel. Investigators responded to the residence and noticed Butler walking out of the home. Butler was attempting to blend in with children who was at a bus stop when investigators identified him. He was taken into custody without incident.

Deputies recovered the stolen vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, deputies learned that Butler sold the gun he stole earlier that morning to 26-year-old Tadeo Bravo-Cortez in exchange for drugs. Deputies responded to Bravo-Cortez’s location at a motel near Vah Ki Inn Road and the 287. Deputies found Bravo-Cortez and attempted to pull him over. There was a pursuit and the vehicle crashed near Hashan Kehk and Mish Ki Roads on the reservation.

Erika Norris, age 20, of Coolidge was a passenger inside the vehicle.

The stolen rifle was recovered inside the vehicle by deputies.

During the pursuit money and other items were thrown out of the vehicle. Investigators located the money. Bravo-Cortez and Norris were arrested.

Bravo-Cortez is charged with felony flight, possession of stolen firearms, misconduct involving weapons, dangerous drugs, tampering with evidence and drug paraphernalia. Bravo-Cortez is a Mexican national.

Norris is being charged with possession of stolen firearms, misconduct involving weapons, dangerous drugs, and drug paraphernalia.

Butler is charged with assault against a police officer, aggravated assault with injury, resisting arrest, endangerment, and burglary.

The deputy who was struck by Butler was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.

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