In-Law Shooter Thomas Crew Pleads Not Guilty, Faces $750K Bond

Thomas Ray Crew was arraigned this morning on charges of attempted murder, along with other serious offenses that could result in a life sentence. His arraignment was delayed after he was unexpectedly hospitalized last week.

Now in police custody, the 46-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a harrowing hostage situation in Rancho Mirage on May 15. Crew is accused of kidnapping his sister and her child at gunpoint, as well as shooting another woman, 43-year-old Nereira Crew, in the head.

Witnesses reported disturbing statements from Crew on the night of the incident, including declarations like, “I just shot her. She is probably dead,” and “If you have handcuffs, just cuff me.” He allegedly discarded a hot handgun on Montserrat Street, where it was later photographed.

At today’s arraignment in Pinal County Superior Court, Crew’s bond was set at $750,000 by the presiding judge.

Last week, an error in the state-run court database E-Access misreported that Crew’s charges had been elevated to premeditated first-degree murder. The victim, believed to be Crew’s sister-in-law, survived but suffered catastrophic injuries. As of now, the database has not yet been corrected.

Crew, previously residing in The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado, is scheduled for a pretrial conference on August 4 at 9 a.m. before Judge Daniel Washburn.