Last week, the Sierra Vista Police Department arrested a suspected load driver on multiple charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon*, aggravated assault, burglary, criminal trespass, and kidnapping after he crashed his vehicle and fled on foot in the area of North Lenzner Avenue and East Tacoma Street.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on April 7, Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) was notified of a possible fast-moving load vehicle heading toward Sierra Vista via Highway 92. The driver, Ezekiel Frias, 28 of Tucson, was identified as a possible “load driver,” the name given to drivers who accept payment to transport people who have entered the country illegally from pickup points near the border to larger metropolitan areas in the state. People were seen bailing out of Frias’ vehicle near Highway 92 and the San Pedro River.
After witnessing the bailout, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter began following the vehicle north on Highway 92. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles on the right side of the road and in the center lane. The helicopter maintained its visual on the vehicle and provided direction of travel updates to law enforcement on the ground.
SVPD officers and Cochise County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to get into position to clear intersections to protect other motorists, but the vehicle was traveling too fast. Due to the dangerous and high-speed driving demonstrated by the driver, law enforcement did not engage in pursuit.
After turning west onto Fry Boulevard, the vehicle later sped through a school zone near Bella Vista Elementary School before striking a bicyclist and crashing near the intersection of North Lenzner Avenue and East Tacoma Street. The bicyclist was transported to Canyon Vista Medical Center with minor injuries and was reportedly alert and able to speak with law enforcement officers on scene about the incident.
After crashing, Frias fled from the scene, jumping fences in the neighborhood. He was able to enter a residence in the area, before being pushed out by the owner. Frias was taken into custody in the 1100 block of Marchbanks Drive.
Frias was booked into the Cochise County Jail on the following charges: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, burglary, attempted burglary, two counts of criminal trespass, and two counts of kidnapping.
The passenger of the vehicle, 27-year-old Tucson resident Karissa Robles, was arrested and booked into Cochise County Jail on charges of possession of narcotics, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia.