Could Anthem Robbery Suspect Be a Victim of Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking?

The story of Helen Simmons is a complex blend of young ambition turned into a nightmarish twist of fate. The 18-year-old, newly accepted into ASU’s journalism school, was brimming with dreams of becoming a photojournalist. She began swiping on a dating app to meet new people in Phoenix, unaware that one swipe would lead her into a life-shattering series of events.

Within three weeks of her arrival, Helen was arrested for her involvement in a jewelry store robbery. She claimed that Matthew Jones, a man she barely knew, had coerced her into the crime. The case became multifaceted as Helen was painted both as a suspect in a serious crime and as a potential victim of domestic abuse and sex trafficking.

The series He Made Me Do It by the 12News I-Team explores this duality. The investigative team spent over a year examining whether Helen was forced into the crime and if her allegations of abuse were overlooked. The series delves into whether societal systems could have intervened to alter her course.

In the early hours of July 16, 2022, a U-Haul connected to the Anthem, Arizona robbery was spotted on a California freeway. An officer’s attempt to pull the vehicle over for a traffic violation triggered a high-speed chase. For more than an hour, the U-Haul evaded capture, culminating in a police maneuver that blew out its tires. The driver seemed resigned, but the passenger, Helen, looked scared.

This dramatic police chase was just a segment of the turmoil Helen claimed to have faced since meeting Jones. Just days before that chase, on July 12, 2022, two masked figures stormed into Andrew Z Diamonds + Fine Jewelry in Anthem. Armed with a gun and a hammer, the robbers left the jeweler critically injured before escaping on a motorcycle.

Joe Alvarez, an Anthem resident, witnessed the aftermath. He couldn’t comprehend why such a violent act targeted his small community. Surveillance footage and swift police work led to identifying the U-Haul, setting the stage for the aforementioned pursuit.

When Matthew Jones and Helen were apprehended, the relief among the Anthem community was palpable. Items found in the U-Haul, including a motorcycle and incriminating attire, tied the duo to the robbery. Yet, the story took another twist when Helen expressed to authorities that her arrest was a lifeline away from Jones, a man she said wouldn’t let her leave.

This arrest was highly publicized, drawing comparisons to infamous criminal pairs like Bonnie and Clyde. However, Helen’s narrative painted a different picture—one of fear and entrapment.

The community continued to rally around the injured jeweler, while the complexity of Helen’s role in the crime continued to unfold. The investigation left many questioning the distinctions between coercion and complicity, victimhood and culpability.

The He Made Me Do It docuseries meticulously pieces together this perplexing story. With the first chapter already available on 12News+, subsequent chapters promise to reveal more about Helen’s side of the story and the broader implications of her case.

The series aims not just to tell Helen’s story but to highlight systemic issues related to domestic abuse, trafficking, and the criminal justice process. Each episode encourages broader discussions about societal oversight and the intricate nature of victimhood in criminal activities.

For those looking to understand the full depth of Helen Simmons’ case and broader issues of abuse and trafficking, He Made Me Do It serves as a profound investigative piece. New episodes are scheduled to release weekly, delving deeper into the layers of this extraordinary case.