A chase, a blow torch, and a burning patrol car. That’s what the Prescott Police Department and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office dealt with Wednesday evening.
According to Prescott Police, officers responded to the area of Dearing Park in search of a suspect, identified as 70-year-old James Crespo, who was wanted on several felony charges. Officers located Crespo driving east on Thumb Butte Road and deployed spike strips. Crespo then stopped his vehicle and held what was described as a blow torch out the window. Officers tried to convince Crespo to surrender, but he drove over the spike strips and into a residential neighborhood.
Prescott Police officers and Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies located Crespo in his vehicle in the area of Country Club Circle and Canada Crescent Drive. Crespo rammed a Prescott Police vehicle before being blocked by Yavapai County Sheriff’s vehicles.
At this time, an explosion occurred inside Crespo’s vehicle. He exited the flaming vehicle with a propane tank and a blow torch. Less-than-lethal options were utilized to take Crespo into custody. The explosion also ignited a Yavapai County Sheriff deputy’s vehicle. Crespo was evacuated by air to a Phoenix area hospital for further treatment of his injuries.
No officers, deputies, or bystanders were injured as a result of this incident.