2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Criminal
Investigations
Division
Highlights of the Criminal Investigations Division:
DPS sergeant involved in shooting during multi-agency task force operation
On Sept. 29, 2005, while assisting the Tucson Police Department with a drug-related kidnapping in progress, a
DPS sergeant assigned to the multi-agency Counter Narcotics Alliance (C.N.A.) Task Force in Tucson
was involved in a shooting with one of the suspects, identified as Jose Roberto
Solano. The suspect snuck up on the sergeant and attempted to shoot him, leading to
a shootout between the two. A total of 14 rounds were exchanged between the
sergeant and Solano, who fled in the sergeant’s assigned vehicle following the shooting.
Following an extensive manhunt spearheaded by the Tucson Police Department,
Solano died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Oct. 1, 2005 after fleeing from a traffic
stop in northeast Tucson. Three other suspects were also arrested. The vehicle, as well as the majority of
DPS, C.N.A. and personal property, was recovered.
Detective Rick Van Keuren receieves
the Department’s Lifesaving award
Off-duty Yuma detective helps save woman’s life in September
On Sept. 18, 2005, while off-duty, Detective Rick Van Keuren was taking his family into the Kirkland
home store in the Yuma Palms shopping mall. A woman had parked her vehicle in the drive area in
front of the store and was loading her purchases into the back hatch of her Suburban
when she was struck by another vehicle, which pinned her between it and her vehicle.
Detective Van Keuren assisted in separating the two vehicles, and along with several
Marines at the scene, applied life-saving tourniquets to both of the severed legs of the
victim. Detective Van Keuren acquired a blanket and towel from his vehicle and
attempted to treat the victim for shock. After paramedics arrived, Detective Van
Keuren took control of the other driver until Yuma Police arrived. The woman
survived her emergency surgery, but lost both of her legs. Detective Van Keuren
was awarded the Department Lifesaving award for his efforts at a May 8 th ceremony
in Phoenix. The two Marines were recognized for their efforts with the
Department Citizen Lifesaving award.
Identity theft investigation leads detectives to Florida murder suspect
Since Jan. 1, 2006, the Arizona Department of Public Safety has been an active participant in the United States
Postal Inspection Service Identity Theft Task Force. The task force is comprised of federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies working together to combat identity-theft crimes. The Arizona Department of Public Safety
has been played a significant role in 17 major case investigations which resulted in the execution of 21 search
warrants and 14 felony arrests. Two such arrests involved a man wanted for murder in the state of Florida, and a
female companion, who were living in Maricopa County. Both were indicted in Phoenix on identity-theft charges
stemming from an investigation conducted by the Identity Theft Task Force. The suspects had used the identities
of their victims to open accounts at various financial institutions. DPS also found, in their possession, the personal
identifying information for about 200 people, in addition to more than 100 credit cards, counterfeit and stolen
documents.
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