Executive Summary
- A victim was assaulted and carjacked near Recker Road and Main Street in Mesa, suffering head and facial injuries.
- The suspect allegedly fled at speeds over 100 mph, prompting police to terminate the ground pursuit for public safety.
- Mesa Police’s Air Unit tracked the suspect to a Phoenix apartment complex where he was arrested after a foot chase.
A 20-year-old man is in custody facing multiple felony charges following a violent carjacking in Mesa that escalated into a high-speed pursuit ending in Phoenix, according to the Mesa Police Department.
Officers responded to a disturbance call near Recker Road and Main Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. on February 6. Upon arrival, law enforcement located a male victim suffering from visible injuries to his head and face. The victim reported to police that he had been assaulted by an unidentified man who subsequently stole his vehicle, a white 2025 Kia K4.
The Mesa Police Air Unit located the stolen vehicle shortly after the incident. According to department reports, officers attempted to stop the vehicle using a Grappler police bumper device, but the deployment was unsuccessful. The driver, identified by authorities as Thierry Muhire, allegedly refused to yield and fled the scene at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Citing public safety concerns, ground units disengaged from the pursuit while the Air Unit maintained visual surveillance from above. The helicopter tracked the vehicle to an apartment complex in Phoenix. Police stated that Muhire abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by responding officers.
Muhire faces several charges, including robbery, burglary, assault, theft of means of transportation, unlawful flight from law enforcement, and reckless driving.
Operational Safety and Judicial Context
This incident underscores the strategic balance law enforcement must maintain during vehicular pursuits, particularly when suspects reach speeds that endanger the general public. The decision to terminate the ground pursuit in favor of aerial tracking aligns with modern policing standards designed to reduce the risk of collateral damage while ensuring suspect apprehension. As the case moves to the judicial phase, the combination of the alleged violent assault and the reckless nature of the flight will likely be central to the prosecution’s case. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
