Car Burglars Strike Maricopa’s Newest Neighborhood in Shocking Crime Spree

On October 25, 2023, a report emerged detailing incidents in Amarillo Creek, an unincorporated neighborhood in Maricopa, which has begun facing urban crime challenges.

Pinal County sheriff’s deputies responded over the weekend to an early morning call regarding two attempted car burglaries. According to spokesperson Lauren Reimer, a resident near the intersection of Papago Road and Pecan Woods Boulevard reported that two unlocked vehicles appeared to have been rummaged through. Fortunately, nothing was taken, and the vehicles remained undamaged, leaving no evidence for investigators to pursue.

Reimer emphasized the importance of vehicle security, stating, “We would like to remind everyone to always lock their vehicles and never store valuables in cars, as these are often crimes of opportunity.” This incident marks the second reported crime in Amarillo Creek, highlighting potential safety concerns for the community.

Residents expressed unease over the recent events on the social networking platform Nextdoor, with concerns that criminals may have begun to target the subdivision, which welcomed its first homeowners in October last year. One resident, Juanita Porter, voiced her apprehension, stating, “the hood rats have come to our streets.”

The rising trend of vehicle-related crimes in Maricopa is not entirely new. In June 2022, a 17-year-old car burglar was shot and killed by police in Tortosa. In that instance, additional suspects were apprehended, with one allegedly threatening a homeowner during an attempted burglary.

Police activity continued throughout the year; in February, two teenagers wearing clown masks were arrested in connection with multiple car burglaries, with reports indicating they sought firearms while ignoring cash left in plain sight. Amarillo Creek is not alone in its experiences, as other neighborhoods, such as Acacia Crossings and Rancho Mirage, have faced similar issues.

In September, two residents of Rancho El Dorado reported substantial thefts from their work trucks, indicating an ongoing pattern of vehicle-related crimes in the region. As Amarillo Creek adjusts to its emerging identity within the urban landscape, residents are left to navigate these increasing concerns.