Original Blog Entry: Carjacker caught after wild police chase

truesee — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:55:50 GMT

Phoenix police identify fatally shot carjacking suspect

Maria Polletta and Eugene Scott and Laurie Merrill

Aug. 21, 2011 09:34 AM

The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police Sunday released the identity of the 21-year-old carjack suspect who was fatally shot Saturday after a wild chase.

Phoenix police fatally shot Gabriel Jaramillo after he refused to follow commands and continued ramming a Jeep into police vehicles at Interstate 17 and Cactus Road, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Trent said Jaramillo had an extensive criminal history that included prior unlawful flight charges, drugs and burglary. His next of kin has been notified.

Department of Corrections records list Oct. 2010 as his release from prison after serving time for a conviction on a dangerous drug violation.

He also was found guilty of several infractions in prison and court, including disrupting court and promoting prison contraband, according to the records.

Crump said police were initially alerted about 1:30 p.m., Saturday when a man spotted someone behind the wheel of his silver Lincoln, reported stolen in Tempe a week before.

Police confirmed it was the same stolen vehicle, and they initiated a pursuit in the area of 67th and Maryland avenues.

As police began to follow, the driver took off at a high rate of speed, Crump said.

After getting a flat tire, Jaramillo abandoned the stolen vehicle. Crump said Jaramillo made at least three attempts to carjack different vehicles - two at a car wash near 36th and Dunlap avenues and one at a Wendy's drive-thru line near 43rd Avenue and Dunlap - before returning to the Lincoln, which eventually caught fire.

When the Lincoln became inoperable, police said Jaramillo forced his way into a white Jeep stopped at 51st and Glendale avenues. A woman driving the Jeep couldn't get out of the car, primarily because of her seatbelt, police said.A police officer in an unmarked car tried to block the vehicle, but the Jaramillo rammed into the officer's car and put the Jeep in reverse, striking a vehicle parked behind, Crump said.

By then, the officer was on the sidewalk and fired at least one shot at Jaramillo, who drove directly toward him and hit him. The officer was treated for minor injuries.

Jaramillo then turned onto Glendale, traveling about 100 feet before the Jeep's original driver jumped out of the car, police said. She had minor injuries.

Police continued to follow the Jeep by ground and air until they surrounded it on the southbound onramp of I-17 at Cactus. Cornered, Jaramillo began to ram police cars, Crump said. An officer from Phoenix police's Special Assignment Unit fired several shots, killing Jaramillo.

Another officer was injured while trying to respond to the pursuit of the suspect. The officer's marked Chevy Tahoe was struck by a red Ford Taurus at 51st and Peoria Avenues. The Tahoe flipped on its side and rolled off the hood of a green Jeep Cherokee stopped at the intersection.

Witnesses described the Tahoe as being one of about eight police cars that went through the intersection with lights flashing but no sirens. The officer's injuries were not life-threatening, and he was taken to a local hospital with two others involved.

The fatal officer-involved shooting Saturday was the second in the Valley in three days.

Mesa police shot and killed a 38-year-old man on Thursday.

Police originally said Phillip A. Trimble was shot by three officers when he dropped a cellphone and pointed a gun at them. But after further investigation, homicide detectives discovered Trimble had only simulated a weapon, acting as if he was grabbing a handgun tucked in his waistband before officers opened fire.

Staff writer Jim Walsh contributed to this report.

Arizona Department of Corrections

Gabriel Jaramillo, 21

LINK TO VIDEO:

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1120644166001

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