Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse recognized deputies Lt. Scott Peterson and Sgt. Wayne Lesperance, and U.S. Marshal T. Traistaru in last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting. The recognition came as a result of the apprehension of Samuel Molina following an hour long standoff on the evening of Oct. 10 in Winslow.
In his presentation Clouse said, “On Oct. 10, they found themselves in a situation where they risked their own lives to save the lives of others. The day prior to the incident, Peterson let me know that there was a wanted fugitive in Winslow who was accused of aggravated assault, sexual assault, trafficking drugs and possibly making explosives. We did have a warrant for the suspect but it was only for possession of drug paraphernalia. Peterson told me that he was concerned and that he felt the suspect was escalating his behavior.”
Clouse then described the incident. “There was information that he was located in a residence in Winslow. Peterson contacted the U.S. Marshal and other agencies for assistance due to the violent nature of the suspect. The suspect gained entry in to a home occupied by a babysitter and three small children. The sitter locked herself and the children in a bedroom.
“These three men here broke a window and assisted the babysitter and the children in getting out of the home through that window. The suspect was armed and dangerous and as they were exiting the window, the suspect was inside the residence and attempting to gain access to the room. The quick thinking of the officers potentially saved the lives of the babysitter and the three small children.”
Molina barricaded himself in the home and was eventually apprehended after running from the residence and attempting to escape law enforcement.
