At approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, officers from the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person attempting to forcibly enter a residence in the 1100 block of Mountain View Drive in Taylor.
Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, Gabriel Merino, 21, of Pima, and during the course of their investigation, discovered that he had an active felony warrant for his arrest. Merino was taken into custody without incident at the scene and was being transported to the Navajo County Detention Center in Holbrook by Officer Roberto Alvarado.
During transport, Merino managed to manipulate his handcuffed hands from behind his back to the front of his body. He then forced open the interior communication window of the patrol vehicle and entered the front compartment. Once in the front, Merino grabbed the vehicle’s steering wheel while the vehicle was in motion, endangering both Officer Alvarado who was driving and others on the road. Merino physically attacked Alvarado, attempting to grab the officer’s weapons and equipment multiple times. He also spat on and struck Alvarado.
Officer Alvarado was able to bring the vehicle to a safe stop and attempted to remove Merino from the vehicle. Merino continued to resist and fight, refusing all verbal commands. Multiple citizens witnessed the struggle and called 911. One courageous citizen, Miguel Martinez, 29, of Holbrook, intervened to assist the officer in restraining Merino until backup units from the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office arrived.
Upon the arrival of additional law enforcement, Merino was subdued and taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and treatment of injuries sustained during the altercation. The officer was also treated at a medical facility and has since been released.
Due to Merino’s aggressive and dangerous actions during the incident, the involved officer utilized necessary force to prevent Merino from gaining control of law enforcement weapons and equipment, thereby preventing further harm. This case is being submitted to the Navajo County Attorney’s Office for review of the following recommended charges:
Attempted manslaughter of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault while in the custody of a law enforcement agency,
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, trespass in the First Degree and an existing felony warrant.
The Snowflake-Taylor Police Department commends the bravery and quick action of the assisting citizen and the responding officers who helped safely resolve a dangerous situation.
