Missing Tortosa Teen Found in Coolidge: Community Rallies for Support

A week after he disappeared from his home in Tortosa, 16-year-old Javier Alzuhair-Sainz is reportedly in Coolidge, according to comments made by his mother to InMaricopa. Ivette Aurora Sainz-Tapia revealed she received a tip that her son was spotted at Sabor a La Michoacana, a Mexican dessert shop in Coolidge, the previous day.

The store employee recognized Javier from media coverage and reported, “Oh my God, I saw him today.” At the time of the sighting, he was accompanied by two teenage girls.

“I’m sure he is nearby somewhere,” commented Sainz-Tapia, expressing frustration over the inability to pinpoint his exact location, noting the absence of surveillance cameras at the business.

Though she could not connect her son to anyone in Coolidge, she speculated that he might have left Tortosa “just to get out of town.” Concerned for his safety, she has enlisted the help of private investigator Chris Castorena from Phoenix, who has experience with missing persons cases.

Castorena stated, “We’re just still looking for him, searching different places in Maricopa,” but did not elaborate on specific search areas outside of Maricopa.

Alzuhair-Sainz was seen leaving his home with two pillowcases filled with clothes and climbed into a grey four-door car. According to his mother, this is not the first instance of him running away over the past three years, but she senses this situation is different. “He has run away before but usually doesn’t take clothes. This time feels different,” she reflected last Wednesday.

Sainz-Tapia mentioned that Javier had confided in his grandmother about leaving for Mexico, indicating he was avoiding consequences related to juvenile court. Described as five feet six inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds, Javier is currently not enrolled in school and has been struggling with drug and alcohol issues after falling in with the wrong crowd.

Maricopa police have classified Alzuhair-Sainz as a “runaway.” Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Maricopa Police Department at 520-568-3673, Coolidge Police Department at 520-723-5311, or Chris Castorena at 602-529-3303.