Woman, 87, killed; son hurt in east-side home invasion
A woman died after she was shot in the stomach during a home invasion on Tucson's east side Tuesday morning.
Frida Beezley, 87, was pronounced dead at a hospital hours after she was shot at a home in the 2900 block of South Marvin Avenue, near South Kolb and East Golf Links roads, said Sgt. Matt Ronstadt, a Tucson police spokesman.
The woman's son was shot in the arm during the home invasion, Ronstadt said.
The son called 911 about 11 a.m. to report that he and his mother had been shot by two men, Ronstadt said.
The man said he heard his dogs barking in the backyard and when he opened to door, the men forced their way inside.
The man told police the intruders were armed and used masks or bandannas to cover their faces.
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The man grabbed his gun, and he and the intruders exchanged gunfire.
It is not known if the intruders were shot. They were gone by the time officers arrived.
The son was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Veronica M. Cruz
and Jamar Younger
California woman arrested in deadly I-19 crash here
The driver of a car who officials say rear-ended a pickup truck on Interstate 19 early Monday, causing a fatal rollover, is facing charges.
Cholla Tai Meaudine, 31, of Arcata, Calif., was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, criminal damage and possession of marijuana, said Officer Raul Molina, a Department of Public Safety spokesman in a news release.
Meaudine was driving a Honda car south on I-19 near the Ajo Way exit at a high rate of speed when investigators said she rear-ended a Ford pickup, driven by Martina Sonoqui, just before 2 a.m., the release said. The truck swerved and rolled.
Sonoqui, 56, was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from her vehicle, the release said.
Meaudine was taken to University of Arizona Medical Center, where she was treated for bruises and scratches, the release said.
Officers said they believe she may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Veronica M. Cruz
Man found dead in parking lot on north side is identified
Tucson police have identified the man whose body was found in a north-side parking lot Saturday night.
Timothy J. Ryan Jr., 31, was found near 3050 N. Country Club Road near East Fort Lowell Road just before midnight when police received a 911 call from a passersby, said Sgt. Matt Ronstadt, a Tucson police spokesman in a news release.
Ryan had signs of trauma and appeared to have been dead for less than 24 hours, the release said.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to call 911 or 88-CRIME.
Veronica M. Cruz
Patagonia man facing charge of murder in Sunday shooting
A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after another man was shot and killed in Patagonia, officials say.
Patrick McDonough of Patagonia was booked into the Santa Cruz County jail in connection with the shooting death of Jacob Dodson, 24, Sunday morning.
U.S. Border Patrol agents were the first to arrive at a home after a caller reported the shooting to county authorities, the Nogales International reports.
Dodson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Associated Press
Border agents in Nogales intercept load of meth
U.S. agents seized nearly 17 pounds of methamphetamine in Nogales on Saturday.
Officers at the Mariposa port of entry east of the city had referred a 22-year-old Nogales resident for secondary inspection of his sedan as he entered the United States.
That's when a narcotics detection dog alerted officers to the presence of drugs. Customs and Border Protection officers found 15 packages of methamphetamine in the vehicle's engine compartment.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $258,000, authorities said.
The drugs and vehicle were seized, and the driver was arrested.
The Associated Press
Man gets year of probation for pointing laser at plane
A 20-year-old man who pointed a green laser light at a Pima County Sheriff's Department aircraft last July has been placed on one year of unsupervised probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
In exchange for Alma Jeffs' guilty plea, Pima County Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini agreed to dismiss two felony endangerment counts.
Jeffs, a Colorado City man who is related to convicted polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs, is an electrician's apprentice, said his defense attorney, Michael Piccarreta.
Last July, Jeffs was using a laser to look at stars when he pointed it at the aircraft, Piccarreta said.
"He was horsing around and didn't realize it could have a significant impact," Piccarreta said.
Sheriff's officials said the laser disoriented the flight crew.
The pilots used a camera and tracked the laser to a home near West Los Reales and South Wade roads.
Deputies went to the home and arrested Jeffs.
Jeffs will also have to pay a $250 fine, Piccarreta said.
Kim Smith
On StarNet: Find an interactive map of reported crimes in the city of Tucson at azstarnet.com/crimemap
