On 10-17-2011 at 4:17 a.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol near Interstate 8 and Trekell Road noticed a red, 2002 Pontiac Grand AM traveling east on Interstate 8 at an unusually slow rate of speed. The deputy confirmed with radar the vehicle’s speed was 59 mph in a posted 75 mph zone.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop by turning on his emergency lights and vehicle came to a stop at mile post 178. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver pulled away and fled the scene; driving southbound into the desert.

The deputy called for backup and noticed the suspect bailed from his moving vehicle about 100 yards south of the interstate. The same suspect jumped a barbed wire fence and continued running south through the desert.

The deputy called PCSO dispatch for assistance locating the driver and continued to clear the vehicle of additional suspects.

Upon opening the vehicle’s trunk, the deputy discovered two large bails of marijuana; totaling 53 lbs.

The vehicle was seized and taken to the Casa Grande substation for processing. While at the substation, the deputy was informed the suspect was apprehended by a fellow deputy and identified as Jose Ernesto Garcia-Reyes, 26, of Phoenix.

Garcia-Reyes is charged with Possession of Marijuana, Transporting Marijuana for Sale and Unlawful Flight.

Sheriff Babeu stated, “Despite dealing a major blow to drug trafficking efforts this past week in Pinal County, Mr. Garcia-Reyes serves as an example of why we must continue to fight human and drug smuggling every day. They won’t stop operating and neither will we.”