Burglary suspects in custody after ramming Pinal County deputies' vehicles, resulting in shooting: PCSO
Arizona burglary suspects on the run turn themselves into deputies
On Oct. 13, authorities said Phillip Rice dialed 911 and said he and Michael Anthony were ready to turn themselves in after being on the run a day after they allegedly rammed two Pinal County deputies' vehicles, prompting a shooting.
FLORENCE, Ariz. - Authorities say two burglary suspects are in custody after they rammed two Pinal County deputies' vehicles, leading to a shooting.
According to PCSO, deputies on the morning of Oct. 12 responded to reports of a burglary in progress on East Desert Hills Road, south of Florence.
Once at the scene, two suspects were seen taking off in a car.
"The suspects rammed two Deputies' vehicles, and the second deputy fired at the suspects," PCSO said. The deputies weren't hurt.
After the shooting, the suspects, identified as 61-year-old Michael Anthony and 33-year-old Phillip Rice, ran away on foot.
"Right now we have our SWAT team, we have canines assisting with tracking and Pima County’s air unit tracking from air," said Pinal County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Matthew Thomas.
Thomas said wasn't Anthony's first time being in trouble.
"Michael Anthony has an extensive criminal history, not necessarily with our agency, but has criminal history with Pima County, Santa Cruz County, Maricopa County," he said.
On Thursday, the sheriff's office said Rice dialed 911 just before 7 a.m. and said he and Anthony were ready to turn themselves in after being on the run. The pair were found by deputies in a remote area several miles south of the original burglary call.
After taking both men into custody, deputies learned Anthony had been shot in the shoulder and grazed in the face during the shooting on Wednesday. Both suspects were also dehydrated and full of cholla cacti. They will receive medical attention before being booked into jail.
"I would like to take a moment to commend all the Deputies, Dispatchers, staff and assisting agencies who worked to locate these men," Sheriff Mark Lamb said. "They tirelessly tracked the suspects, and made sure residents in the area were safe," said Sheriff Mark Lamb. "Ultimately, these suspects gave themselves up, knowing that running from justice was a futile effort. PCSO will always hunt down anyone who tries to do harm to our deputies, and bring them to justice."