On Monday, December 3, 2018 around 11pm, 32-year-old Miguel Gomez and 26-year-old Alicia Gonzalez drove a stolen red Dodge pick-up through the front entrance of the Shopper’s Supply located at 2880 S. Alma School Road. After crashing through the entrance, the two continued driving in the closed store to the firearms department. Once there, Gomez and Gonzalez shattered the glass on the display cases and removed 21 handguns.
The two fled the store on foot to a nearby farm. From there, Gomez and Gonzalez were picked up by an adult female who was driving a maroon Chevrolet pick-up. As the trio pulled onto westbound Queen Creek Road, the first Chandler patrol officer arrived on-scene.
The officer attempted a traffic stop on the maroon pick-up, but the vehicle operator refused to yield and continued westbound at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit ensued on Queen Creek Road to Old Price Road then south onto the Gila River Indian Community. Gomez, Gonzalez, and a third female were taken into custody on the Gila River Reservation.
Of the 21 guns stolen by Gomez and Gonzalez, 12 have been recovered.
Gomez, Gonzalez, and the third female are all tribal members of the Gila River Indian Community. Both Gomez and Gonzalez have numerous arrest warrants out of Chandler and other neighboring jurisdictions. Investigators believe all were under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the burglary and pursuit.
Miguel Gomez and Alicia Gonzalez were booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of 1st Degree Burglary, one count of Criminal Damage, and one count of Theft of Means of Transportation. Gomez was also charged with one count of Unlawful Flight from a Law Enforcement Vehicle. The third female was released without charges.
Detectives are currently working with Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on the recovery of the missing guns. Along with the BATF, the Chandler Police Department would like to thank the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the Gila River Police Department, and the Mesa Police Department for their assistance in the investigation and apprehension of the suspects.
Shopper’s Supply Vice-President Tyler Schmidt released the following statement:
“The Chandler Police Department is investigating the incident that took place at the Shoppers Supply Chandler location this morning, and three suspects are in custody. The safety of our employees, our customers, and our community is the highest priority for Shoppers Supply and thankfully no one was hurt. We are grateful to the Chandler Police for their quick response. Our Chandler store will be open for regular business hours today. As this is an ongoing investigation, we will defer any specific questions to the Chandler Police Department.”
