Criminal Investigations Bureau

Also in 2016, the Computer Crimes Unit received new laptops – replacing outdated and slow technology.  This allows for expedited retrieval of crucial evidence and timely support for investigations.  Further, the Unit reduced the need for purchasing redundant software programs by installing a new “dongle server” – which makes USB drives accessible over a network.  Finally, the Unit gained laboratory space for dismantling devices.

2016 has been a busy year for the Computer Crimes Unit with many arrests being made and thousands of illegal photographs being taken out of circulation.  As the technological needs for digital forensic investigations evolve, the Chandler Police Department is ready for new challenges and looks forward to meeting the needs of the community.

During 2016, CAU surpassed the previous year’s apprehension number by making more than 260 arrests from a combination of felony crimes and outstanding warrants.

The exceptional commitment and dedication of the CAU has earned them many commendations and expressions of gratitude this year – not only from within the Department, but also outside agencies such as the Pinal County Prosecutors Office, Mendocino County Attorney’s Office, and Las Vegas, Nevada Police Department.

The Intel Unit has also continued to staff the Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) position.  The TLO is the principal point of contact for the Department on matters related to terrorism that helps maintain awareness of tactics, techniques, and practices used by terrorists.

In addition to the role the Intel Unit plays in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information, members of the unit also investigate crimes that don’t fall into the investigative specialty of any other Criminal Investigations Bureau units.  One such case involved a social media post authored by a local high school student threatening to do a shooting at the school.  Members of the Intel Unit assumed the investigation in the early morning hours after the post was discovered.  Prior to school beginning the next morning, the suspect was identified and arrested.  The quick actions of the detectives assigned to the case prevented any disruption to the school, and possibly averted a catastrophic event.

The Criminal Intel Unit regularly fosters working relationships with patrol officers.  By conducing regular briefing trainings and shadowing programs, patrol officers are provided with opportunities to interact with detectives – thus gaining a better understanding of how in-depth investigations are conducted.

• In the early part of the year, Unit detectives identified a suspect who fraudulently purchased a number of high-dollar vehicles and obtained several lines of credit under stolen identities. The subsequent investigation revealed possible terrorist ties so the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force was
• After receiving initial information from Patrol, Unit detectives began an investigation at a West Chandler address. Ultimately a search warrant was drafted and several hundred cloned/fictitious credit cards were found, as well as equipment to manufacture the credit cards.  Some of this equipment allowed the suspect to emboss credit cards and reprogram their magnetic strips.
• In October, Patrol officers responded to a local hotel for subjects who were being removed from the property for not paying their bill. When they arrived, they were informed that the suspects attempted to use fraudulent credit cards.  An employee also noticed some drugs and paraphernalia in their hotel room.  Financial Crimes detectives responded and assumed the investigation.  When a search warrant was served on the rooms, hundreds of stolen credit cards, identifications, and checks were found.  This property has been tied to approximately twelve vehicle burglaries.  Two suspects were arrested at the time of the incident.

It is an overarching goal of the Chandler Police Department to educate its patrol officers in the proper identification and investigation of serious crimes.  The Financial Crimes Unit does its part by regularly attending Patrol briefings to share information with and provide training to Patrol officers.

In 2016, the Gang Unit received a Unit Citation Award for its unique ability to cultivate sources throughout the City that has not only allowed them to solve crimes that would otherwise go unsolved, but also prevent crimes before they occurred.  Unit members taught officers about pro-active techniques and how to develop intelligence and sources on the streets.

An example of a case in which the Gang Enforcement Unit was instrumental in solving is as follows:  In November 2016, the Gang Unit received information of a possible stolen vehicle and narcotics sales at downtown Chandler home.  The Crime Apprehension and Narcotics Units responded to assist. A search warrant was drafted and served.  The suspect was located inside the house and detained.  The stolen vehicle was found to be related to a homicide being investigated by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.  During the search, detectives located and seized five firearms, a stolen laptop and a bullet proof vest.  The stolen vehicle had been painted, covered, and concealed in the backyard of the residence.  If not for information provided to the Gang Unit through established relationships, a key piece in a homicide investigation may have gone undetected indefinitely.

Of final note, a staple of the Gang Enforcement Unit is its continuous involvement with a local youth organization known as ICAN (Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods).  This year, ICAN celebrated its 25^th year of success.  A large part of their achievement is credited to the Unit members who provide educational and awareness sessions, security at events, and positive interaction with the children in this program.  Together, ICAN and the Gang Enforcement Unit are recognized as a factor in the decreasing crime rate in the City of Chandler.

At present, one Unit detective is assigned to the FBI’s Greater Phoenix Area Human Trafficking Task Force.  This membership affords the Department access to FBI resources that are crucial to these types of investigations.  The Unit’s investigative model has been so successful that the FBI’s Safe Street Gang Task Force is now working with this detective with a primary focus of arresting violent gang members who are also pimps.

The way in which buyers seek out and purchase sex has been changing drastically over time, constantly evolving with the introduction of new technology.  As such, detectives continually enhance their skills through training opportunities.

The following cases illustrate the importance of conducting these investigations with the purpose of removing these types of predators from the community.   Further, they highlight the Unit’s valuable ability to work collaboratively with other agencies in identifying, tracking, and apprehending violent and dangerous suspects.

• In August 2016, a male subject was arrested for Federal Sex Trafficking charges at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This arrest stemmed from a long term investigation conducted by Chandler’s Human Trafficking and Vice Unit and the FBI’s Greater Phoenix Area Human Trafficking Task Force. During the investigation, the suspect attempted to recruit an undercover police officer into a life of prostitution, paying for transportation of the intended victim across state lines. The suspect had a long history of arrests and had a valid outstanding felony warrant out for his arrest at the time of contact.
• In November 2016, a male subject was arrested for Federal sex trafficking charges at the bus station in Phoenix. The suspect was brought to law enforcement’s attention through a tip in which he was reportedly trafficking underage juvenile females in various Western States including Arizona. During the course of the investigation, the suspect attempted to recruit an undercover officer into a life of prostitution.  He had numerous felony convictions in the past and had a valid outstanding warrant for his arrest at the time of contact.  He is also a documented gang member out of the state of Washington.
• In December 2016, a 33 year old male was arrested on three outstanding warrants along with pending sex trafficking charges in Mesa. The arrest stemmed from a long term investigation in which the Unit partnered with the FBI’s Violent Street Gang Task Force. During the investigation, the suspect was found to have beaten two victims of sex trafficking, both of whom were recovered by the Chandler Police Department in October 2016. He later attempted to recruit an undercover police officer into a life of prostitution and arrange for transportation of the subject. He is also a documented gang member out of the State of Nevada.

National drug trends have shifted in the past two years with heroin and methamphetamine becoming the dangerous drugs of choice.  Law enforcement agencies across the nation are struggling with combating these drugs, exploring various ways to approach the issue.  Chandler is no exception.  In addition to conducting thorough investigations, the Narcotics Unit has maintained focus on quality of life issues that directly affect the safety of Chandler residents. The Unit actively and thoroughly responds to complaints and tips on a daily basis, working leads to exhaustion.

The following cases highlight the positive impact that the Narcotics Unit is having in Chandler:

• In September 2016, the Narcotics Unit arrested a subject on four outstanding narcotics warrants with cash bonds totaling over $38,000.  Upon her arrest, she was found to have over a pound of heroin in her possession.  A search warrant was later served at her residence where over a pound of marijuana was seized as well as other contraband.  The Department of Child Safety responded and removed her children from the home and detectives from the Family Crimes Unit initiated a case for child endangerment.
• In September 2016, a narcotics search warrant was executed in Chandler after a month-long investigation involving heroin sales.  Three suspects were arrested and over 7 pounds of heroin was seized along with two handguns, a delivery vehicle and over $6000 cash.  This is believed to be the largest heroin seizure from a local search warrant in Chandler history.
• In October 2016, the Narcotics Unit conducted a “buy-bust” in the west Chandler and seized over 11 pounds of hydroponic marijuana and a handgun. Three suspects were arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Offense.
• In November 2016, the Narcotics Unit concluded an investigation into a known methamphetamine supplier in Chandler by conducting a “buy-bust” operation.  The Unit, with the assistance of SWAT, executed the operation and arrested four key suspects, seized 19 pounds of methamphetamine and seized three vehicles. During the operation, the four suspects ran from the scene and were apprehended with the help of patrol and the Mesa Air Unit.
• During an investigation and the service of a search warrant, detectives not only focused on the criminal aspect, but also identified an elderly woman living in a separate building on the property. Detectives noted the woman was sleeping on a cot and did not have much in the way of amenities.  Members donated their own money to buy her a new bed, bedding, space heater, fan, and towels.

 As a result of investigations conducted, the unit received several “thank you” letters from members of the public, expressing their gratitude for eliminating the threat of drug transactions from their neighborhoods, allowing them to “feel free” again.

• Between April and May of 2016, a Chandler neighborhood in the area of Pecos and McQueen Roads experienced numerous burglaries. With the assistance of the Crime Analysis Research Unit (CARU), a predictive analysis was done to identify a potential time period when the next burglary would occur. Using this analysis, members of the Property Crimes Unit conducted surveillance and ultimately arrested two suspects committing a burglary in the neighborhood. The suspects were charged for their role in the burglary as well as some of the others that occurred in the neighborhood. The joint effort between CARU and the Property Crimes Unit put an end to this crime spree.
• In the early part of the summer, several trucks were stolen from an auto auction business located in West Chandler. The Property Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and quickly identified a possible suspect using the surveillance video from the business. Once the suspect was identified, detectives were able to confirm his involvement in the crime and also discovered he was the suspect in a “kidnapping for ransom” plot out of California that involved a drug cartel.
• A car dealer at Chandler became the victim of a burglary in the latter part of July. During the burglary the suspects stole several sets of keys, and drove three vehicles off the lot. Several days later, the suspects were located and a vehicle pursuit occurred. When the suspects were eventually arrested, detectives were able to determine their role in the original burglary, and also discovered they had been doing armed robberies at various locations around the Phoenix Valley.
• From July to August, a community in the West Chandler experienced several suspicious fires. An observant patrol officer noted the closeness in vicinity of some of these fires, as well as the odd and suspicious behavior of a subject who was present at the fires. Members of the Property Crimes Unit were consulted and research was done on this suspicious subject. Detectives discovered there was a history of arson while the subject lived on the east coast. After several weeks of surveillance, the subject was eventually arrested and ultimately confessed to several of the fires.

In addition to conducting these investigations, the Property Crimes detectives continued to enhance their working relationships with patrol officers. In particular, the Property Crimes sergeants initiated a very successful program that involves meeting regularly with patrol personnel to identify potential crime issues and problem areas. This committee has served to enhance the relationship between the Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Patrol Section by maintaining open and productive communication.

By conducing regular briefing trainings and shadowing programs, patrol officers are provided with opportunities to interact with detectives – thus gaining a better understanding of how in-depth investigations are conducted.

This year, in the interest of furthering valley-wide operability, the Unit participated in a multi-agency training exercise held in Glendale at a large shopping mall.  This training was designed to assess joint operational capability, team tactics, and command response to active shooter situations.

Throughout the year, team members attended thirty community events and demonstrations.  In particular, the Chandler SWAT Unit assisted the Tempe and Arizona State University Police Departments with the visit of Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton.

Of exceptional note, in November, the SWAT Team officially moved into its newly re-purposed building.  This building had previously served as a fire station.  Once vacated, city leaders were instrumental in securing the remodel of the building to provide the SWAT Team with a sorely needed facility.  This building offers increased garage space for specialty vehicle and equipment storage, expanded office, briefing and classroom space, and a room which holds enough lockers for all team members.  On December 8^th, the Unit had the privilege of giving a tour to City leadership and Council Members during the re-dedication ceremony.

The advocates continually strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for adult and child victims.  In 2016, the waiting area in the Unit was refurnished to enhance the level of comfort.  Improvements included providing new games, movies and activities for children so as to occupy their time during the investigative process.

Along with providing individual assistance to the community members, the Victim Services Unit continued to work collaboratively with specialized police teams and with community agencies.  In 2016, the Unit fostered and maintained relationships with Maricopa County Justice Advisory Group, Maricopa County Sex Assault Protocol Group, and the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team, to name a few.  Through these partnerships, the Unit was able to increase its level of service.

Other accomplishments this year:

• A Unit representative participated in renovations of a medical suite at a nearby family advocacy center. This suite will help reduce the stress and anxiety levels experienced by crime victims.
• The Unit’s Advocates also participated in various community training events to aid community members and professionals in addressing behavioral and mental health issues, such as the Chandler Police Department’s “Guardian Academy” and the East Valley “Crisis Intervention” training.
• Finally, the Unit conducted presentations at community events and at a variety of organizations ranging from local corporations to faith-based establishments. These events helped to raise public awareness about crime and the services offered by the Chandler Police Department to help victims in their recovery.