One man has been arrested in connection with a killing Sunday that ended after a cross-town police chase involving a box truck stolen from the crime scene.
Ralph 'Pops' Carter, 28, faces one count each of first-degree murder, armed robbery, theft of means of transportation, and unlawful flight from from a law enforcement vehicle, Tucson police say.
The incident started when police went to a home in the 2600 block of East Fort Lowell Road about 10 a.m. Sunday for a welfare check, according to a Tucson police news release.
Officers found the body of 53-year-old Juan Martin Cuen-Amavizca, who had been working on the home, with obvious signs of trauma, the release said. Cuen-Amavizca was taken to Banner-University Medical Center where he died shortly thereafter.
Detectives determined that, in addition to Cuen-Amavizcaβs signs of trauma, a 1996 Ford F350 box truck was taken from the driveway.
About 3 p.m. a plainclothes officer found the truck in the area of North 11th Avenue and West 22nd Street, the release said.
After a patrol officer attempted a traffic stop, the truck took off and a pursuit was initiated.
The truck led law enforcement through several jurisdictions, with TPD Air and K-9 units assisting, the release said, as well as officers from the Department of Public Safety, Marana Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
The chase ended after spikes were deployed in the 9000 block of West Tangerine Road and the driver was taken into custody.
No one was injured and no property was damaged during the pursuit.
The investigation continues. Anyone with information can call 88-CRIME, the anonymous tipster line.
