Executive Summary
- Johnny Valdez, 36, was arrested for an alleged armed carjacking spree in Phoenix.
- One incident involved a mother and her three children being forced out of their car at gunpoint.
- The crime spree spanned multiple locations, starting with a kidnapping report in Gila River.
- Valdez faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and vehicle theft.
Johnny Valdez, 36, has been taken into custody and faces multiple felony charges following a series of alleged armed carjackings across Phoenix on December 1, including an incident where a mother and her three children were forced from their vehicle at gunpoint, according to court records.
The sequence of events began around 2:30 p.m. when Gila River police responded to reports of a possible kidnapping. Approximately one hour later, Phoenix police officers were dispatched to the vicinity of 51st Avenue and Baseline Road regarding the theft of a Ford F-150 truck. Investigators stated that a male suspect and a female companion stole the vehicle from its owner under the threat of a weapon.
According to police reports, a second carjacking occurred at 3:50 p.m. near 51st and South Mountain avenues. A woman driving her three children home from school told investigators that a truck blocked her Nissan Altima. The driver of the truck allegedly pointed a firearm at the family, ordering them to exit the vehicle before driving away in it with a female accomplice.
Additional incidents were reported later that afternoon near Elliot Road and Loop 202, where another driver was ordered out of their vehicle at gunpoint. Witnesses described seeing a male and female transfer from the stolen Nissan Altima into another vehicle. A separate attempted carjacking was also reported near Loop 202 and Estrella Drive.
During the investigation, a woman contacted authorities stating she had been with Valdez during the spree but claimed she was not free to leave. Officers subsequently located and detained Valdez near 24th and Van Buren streets. Police confirmed that no serious injuries were reported among the victims.
Investigative Outlook
Authorities have charged Valdez with vehicle theft, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. The prompt apprehension of the suspect highlights the critical nature of inter-agency coordination between Gila River and Phoenix law enforcement in addressing violent crimes that cross jurisdictional boundaries. As the investigation proceeds, prosecutors will likely focus on the timeline of events established by witness testimony and the account of the female associate. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
