Scottsdale Cop Loses Job Over Wrongful Search

One of Scottsdale's not-quite-finest has quit his job with the city after inappropriately searching a female in response to a call from the woman. The sophomore cop made a freshman mistake and is now paying the price.

Protesters Follow Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Scottsdale

Joe Arpaio's book tour continues to run into local protests. Angry protesters showed up at the Barnes and Noble on Shea Blvd. on Saturday to "welcome" America's nuttiest sheriff. Arpaio's hard-line immigration stance continues to divide the community while doing little to drive down crime in Maricopa County.

Why don't we have term limits for County politicians yet? Joe's a ringing endorsement for them.

William Miller Faces First Sentence Awaiting Murder Trial

Accused child-killer and confirmed asshole William Miller has been sentenced to 3.5 years in a fraud case. That's nothing compared to what 'ole Billy's going to face when he's sentenced for killing 5 people, including a 10-year old boy, after torching a Mesa home. Bill is one Scottsdale resident we certainly won't miss. Good riddance, scumbag.

Axis-Radius Valet Attacked After Dropping Keys

A valet attendant at Axis-Radius was attacked and knocked unconscious after dropping keys to a customer's Cadillac Escalade. Cinque Glendy of Phoenix attacked the worker, then threatened another before being forcefully subdued by Scottsdale police. Just another Phoenix tough-guy acting like an idiot? Sure, but the poor valet is just trying to do his job, albeit apparently not very well.

South Scottsdale Stabbing

Partying in Scottsdale? Stick to the downtown area. As violence overtakes South Scottsdale, you'll hear a lot more stories like this one - a stabbing at a bar on McDowell Road. Bottom line, who wants to party with someone who looks like the dude in the picture? Not me.

DMX Drives 100+ MPH, Gets Busted in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is crawling with celebrities every night. Usually, they saunter in, eat, drink then make their way back to the airport. Not DMX. He cruises through town going over 100 miles per hour and is then busted by Scottsdale PD. AND, he doesn't even have a valid driver's license.

Escape From South Scottsdale

South Scottsdale has always been plagued with the woes of bordering Tempe and Maricopa County land. The area created pockets of "no-man lands" where cops rarely go and crime is rampant. This leads, of course, to crime encroaching on the suburban areas in the city's southern area. Now, a rash of home burglaries is spurring long-time residents to flee the area for their own safety. Pathetic. Where is Scottsdale PD when you need them?

Scottsdale Police Calls Up, Crime Down

Last year, the Scottsdale police department answered more calls than in previous years, but crime actually fell 4%, that is if Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell is to be believed.

Scottsdale Crime Rises Slightly

FBI data released today show that crime rose 2% in Scottsdale between 2005-2006. While the increase is small, this should not be seen as good news. Parts of Scottsdale are being overrun with criminal activity. People don't feel as safe as they used to on the streets, and for good reason. The Scottsdale Police Department and the the city's elected officials need to spend more time working on crime and blight in Scottsdale and less time quibbling over cost-of-living increases for city employees.

Scottsdale's First Death Row Candidate?

Alleged killer of five, William Miller has found that Miller is mentally competent and can stand trial for trial in the killing of five people, including a fifteen-year old and a 10-year old, in February 2006. A Scottsdale resident, Miller could face the death penalty for the killings which sprang the victims' knowledge of from Miller's shady business dealings and insurance scams.

Princiotta Coin Collection Sold by Killer

The coin and memorabilia collection that served as the motive in the killing of 9/11 hero fireman Sal Princiotta by Jeff Bigham was sold by Bigham after the murder to a coin dealer in southern California. Bigham received nearly $20,000 for Sal's collection, most of which is now untraceable because it was sold off in pieces.

Bigham befriended the retired firefighter in Las Vegas earlier this year. He sold Princiotta a safe for his Scottsdale condo and became aware of Sal's coin and memorabilia collection. Bigham then killed Sal for that collection in a robbery at the condo on May 1. Bigham killed himself in southern California last Friday as police were closing in on him.

Sal Princiotta Murder Motive Announced

Scottsdale police announced that the robbery of Sal Princiotta's coin collection served as the motive for his murder. Sal's family confirmed that the retired firefighter was associating with a man by the name of Jeff who sold Sal a safe. Jeff - Jeffrey Bigham, a 56-year old part-time Arizona resident - killed Sal on May 1 in an incident involving the safe and a coin and memorabilia collection kept by the hero firefighter. Bigham killed himself in front of police as they were closing in on him in San Bernadino, California on Friday.

Sal Princiotta's Coin Collection Missing from Condo

The coin collection belonging to murdered 9/11 firefighter Sal Princiotta is missing from the hero's Scottsdale condo. Princiotta's murderer killed himself in California on Friday and now clues and motives are beginning to fall into place. It's believed that Sal had previous dealings in Scottsdale with the man who would ultimately murder the retired firefighter and avid photographer. The killer may have sold Sal a safe and was probably aware of the coin collection. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Sal Princiotta's Killer Shoots Self

The main suspect in the murder of 9/11 hero Sal Princiotta killed himself yesterday in California as police were closing in. After fleeing on foot in San Bernadino, the murderer took the coward's way out, shooting himself in the head. Princiotta's dealings with the man are murky, but the suspect apparently sold Sal a safe and may have had significant previous contact with the the firefighter from New York. Princiotta's family and friends continue to be in our prayers. In honor and celebration of Sal's life, please check out his amazing photo collection.

More Scottsdale Cops Carrying Tasers

Think twice before acting up in Scottsdale. The local police department just ordered a slew of new tasers. The electro-shock guns have been a controversial part of police actions for several years. Critics be damned as the Scottsdale Police Department plans to be put a taser in the hand of nearly every uniformed cop, bringing the departments taser tally to 425 - enough to take down even a large group of rowdy downtown clubbers.

Sal Princiotta's Body Back in New York

Hero firefighter Sal Princiotta made it out of 9/11 alive - a miracle considering his firehouse, less than a mile from the World Trade Center, lost nearly a dozen men in the terrorist attack. Unfortunately, Princiotta couldn't make it out of Scottsdale. After relocating here, Sal settled comfortably into a Scottsdale condo where he would ultimately be found murdered. His body, transported in a firetruck with a police escort to Sky Harbor Airport, has returned to New York. As for Scottsdale, we regret that Sal ever came out here. Sometimes this great place shows its evil side, and this time, evil won.

Teen Sexual Assualt Victim's Family Suing Business

The family of a 14-year old girl sexually assaulted at Saguaro High School is suing the janitorial company responsible for hiring Roberto Lemus-Retana, the illegal immigrant charged in the crime. Retana's trial is currently underway with the alleged attacker claiming that the sex was consensual because the freshman student needed money.

Drunk Driving Checkpoint Coming to Scottsdale This Weekend

If you absolutely must be a bad citizen and drive drunk this weekend, then you may want to avoid the Scottsdale and Thomas roads area. Police will be setting up camp there over the holiday weekend in order to snag drunk drivers. If past year's lessons are to be learned, there will be plenty of drunk drivers to keep Scottsdale police busy.

9/11 NYFD Firefighter Killed in Scottsdale

New York City firefighter Sal Princiotta, a true 9/11 hero, was recently murdered in his Scottsdale apartment. Princiotta fell ill after working at ground zero in the weeks following that horrific September morning when he lost eleven men from his firehouse including his uncle. Sal's brother, Joe, states that the Scottsdale police never informed him that his brother's death was due to homicide. Stay tuned for details as they continue to unfold.

Freshman Girl Didn't Flee Attacker

A 14-year old Saguaro freshman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor was in too much fear to attempt to escape the horrible situation in which she found herself. Paralyzed by fear and unsure of what would happen next, the young victim succumbed to her attacker. The scariness continued in court when defense attorney actually accused the young girl of propositioning the janitor because she "needed money." I suppose that's possible, but one thing is for sure: if the man in the picture was about to attack you, you'd probably be paralysed with fear as well.

Brandon Falkner Murder Trial Begins

ASU football player Brandon Falkner was killed outside a Scottsdale nightclub in March 2005. Falkner's killer, Loren Wade, gunned down the star athlete after finding his girlfriend with Falkner in da club. His guilt in not in question. What jurors will need to consider at the trial just getting underway is whether the murder was premeditated. Here's a statement from the murderer's attorney Ulises Ferragut:

“Wade took out the gun. He went to punch Falkner with the gun in his hand. The evidence will show (the murder) was an accident.”

An accident? You must be kidding. Hot-tempered Wade called his girlfriend over a dozen times that night. Unable to reach her and upset that he was being blown off, Wade brought his gun to the popular nightspot and killed the man he saw hanging out with her. Yeah, that's an accident.

Scottsdale Man Beats Back Home Invader

A Scottsdale man literally fought for his life as an assailant entered his him home early in the morning last week. The two fought using coffee tables as weapons and bludgeoning each other with batons. The victim called 911 only after beating the attacker out the door. The would-be killer then fled into the night and is still on the loose in Scottsdale.

Cody Rodbell Police Report

Here's Cody Rodbell's police report straight from the Scottsdale PD, the very police department her daddy runs. Yikes!

Cody Rodbell Alert: Dogs, Cocaine and Leaving the Scene

It just keeps getting worse for Cody Rodbell, the daughter of Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell. After being arrested in late March for supposedly driving under the influence of alcohol, it's just been uncovered that Cody Rodbell was arrested in late April after assaulting a roommate. It's a sad, twisted affair involving Cody's alleged reliance on cocaine, her life completely spinning out of control and her poor choice of friends. According to the police report:

"(An unnamed man) stated Cody has a drug problem and is addicted to cocaine and the girl who was with her (Rebecca) is involved in drug trafficking. I asked him how he knew this, and he stated Rebecca is always there, and they're always up all night long and even into the morning. also commented that Rebecca has a 5-year-old child who she brought over to the house and was smoking marijuana in front of her."

Apparently, Rodbell was on another bender and had gotten into a fight with a roommate, and possibly a dog. When the 5-O rolled up, Cody tried to make a run for it but was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. She was taken to jail and booked for assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

And so the she saga continues...

Man Fires Gun 18 Times Outside Scottsdale Nightclub

Scottsdale police are still searching for a shooter who squeezed off 18 rounds outside Mabel Murphy's over the weekend. Miraculously, no one was injured, but the event has left downtown bar owners and weekend visitors a bit nervous about future incidents. Apparently, an argument between a couple men in two vehicles led to the gunfire. Police recovered the gun, but have been unable to locate the club-hopping trigger man.

Scottsdale High School Students Caught Selling Soma

Five students from Cactus Shadows High School in Scottsdale have been busted for selling illegal drugs. The enterprising students purchased 1,000 Soma pills, a pharmaceutical-grade muscle relaxant available only by prescription, except in Mexico. The kids traveled down south of the border, made their score, then transported the drugs back to their Scottsdale high school. A few days later, a 16-year old girl overdoses and ends up in the hospital. That incident led to the arrest of the five students.

Business Crime on the Rise in North Scottsdale

A startling trend is developing in north Scottsdale - business crime. Commercial theft and property damage are rising rapidly in the business areas north of Shea Blvd. Construction sites, retails shops and anyone with copper are targets for criminals. Hopefully, the town will formulate a plan to deal with this seething issue, and fast. Crime is a cancer the kills commerce.

OxyContin Bust in South Scottsdale

A drug bust this morning in south Scottsdale yielded a large amount of the pharmaceutical drug OxyContin and a small amount of marijuana. The college-aged people arrested apparently were raising the suspicions of neighbors due to an overwhelming amount of traffic at the residence.

Busted in Scottsdale, Jerramy Stevens Going to Tampa Bay

Jerramy Stevens was picked up in this weekend's NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just last month, Stevens was picked up in Scottsdale for suspected DUI and possession of marijuana. Sounds like Stevens will get along fine in Tampa Bay...as long as he doesn't drop too many more crucial passes in the Super Bowl for the Bucs!

Scottsdale Teacher Admits to Sexual Contact with Student

Tom Porras, a well-know substitute teacher and coach at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, has admitted to touching a student under the age of 18 in a sexual manner at his home. The student was there for an "athletic massage." This will not likely result in "happy ending" for Mr. Porras.

Scottsdale Teacher Accused of Sex Crimes is Terminated

Just as the twisted tale of Tom Porras becomes public, the Scottsdale school district is moving to fire the long-time teacher from his post at Saguaro High School. Porras is alleged to have inappropriately touched a minor while she was visiting the teacher's home. The story continues to unfold, and today it was learned that many students may have visited Porras' house over the years. Security is a huge issue in our schools and Scottsdale's schools are showing some major holes in their security and safety controls for the students. High test scores are wonderful, but only in an environment that is safe and secure for our students.

Saguaro High School Substitute Teacher Arrested on Sex Charges

A well known substitute teacher at Saguaro High School has been arrested in connection with a sexual indecency event involving a minor at the teacher's home. The long-time coach and substitute teacher allegedly lured a young girl to his house in order to give her an "athletic massage." The teacher now faces felony charges.

Horrifying Standoff Grips Scottsdale Neighborhood for 7 Hours

A horrific scene unfolded early Sunday morning near the corner of Pima and Chaparral roads as Scot Brannon, a 33-year old man, drove his truck into his ex-girlfriend's house. A standoff ensued with the criminal hiding in the attic and Scottsdale police eventually combined tear gas with a police K9 unit to bring down Brannon. Investigators believe that Brannon "may" have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the incident. Nah, ya think?

Desert Mountain High School Students Arrested for Explosives

Five seniors at Desert Mountain High School have been arrested in connection with recent chemical thefts at the school. Officials state the students are involved in the production of explosives, a frightening revelation given recent school violence episodes.

Robber Hits Scottsdale Bank

Arizona Federal Credit Union in Scottsdale fell victim to a bank robber on Wednesday afternoon. No word on how much loot he left the bank with, but hopefully he'll spend his windfall on some new threads.

Illegal Alien Implicated in Murder Faces Deportation

An illegal alien allegedly involved in a murder last week motivated by a $500,000 insurance policy is facing deportation to Mexico. Thought to be a US citizen, it turns out that Jose Quintero-Figueroa was born in Mexico. After gaining unauthorized passage to the United States, Quintero-Figueroa was sent to prison for aggravated assault. Upon release he convinced federal immigration officials that he was actually a US citizen, a false status he held until today.

Jewelry Thieves Hit Scottsdale Mall

Three men robbed Tourneau Jewelry Store on Tuesday morning. After brandishing a gun at a witness, the thieves made off with some loot and managed to get away before Scottsdale's finest arrived.

Two Arrested in Scottsdale Murder

Two men have been arrested in the killing of a man over the weekend in an alley between a porn shop and a payday loan store. Go figure.