Photo: Wilhoit house fire

Elderly woman dies in house fire

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office and multiple fire agencies responded to a house fire in Wilhoit on Saturday. A 79-year-old woman called 911 to report her home was on fire and that she and her dog were the only people inside. When YCSO arrived on scene, the home was fully burned. Firefighters were initially unable to contain the fire, which continued to burn across the road. The home was completely burned but the fire was contained. However, a search of the home revealed an unidentified body in the rubble, possibly that of the homeowner.

YCSO and fire investigators investigated the scene the following day and evidence at the scene indicates the fire appears to have started in a shed next to the residence, ignited vegetation, and then spread to the residence. The shed contained numerous butane, paint, and other containers consistent with flammable materials and fuels. Neighborhood interviews indicate the victim was approximately 80 years old, lived alone, and had no family. She was known to have difficulty moving around. Recorded 911 calls indicate she was alone with her dog, and her statements are consistent with a fire starting and spreading to the residence. Efforts are still ongoing to positively identify the remains and identify next of kin, but have proven extremely difficult thus far. Based on current information, there is no suspicious activity and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Drug, vehicle theft and weapons charges filed after routine traffic stop in Prescott Valley

On Friday evening, a YCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on a truck with a malfunctioning tail light near Glassford Hill and Center Court in Prescott Valley. The driver, Joseph Boyle, 28, was asked if he had any weapons or drugs in the vehicle and stated he did not. While the deputy was filling out the brake light alert, another deputy arrived with police dog Skye, who walked around the truck before “alerting” that there might be drugs in the vehicle. Boyle was detained and a search of the vehicle revealed 2 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a pistol and several disassembled weapons.

A Vespa scooter was also found in the back of the truck and a VIN search revealed the vehicle to have been stolen out of Phoenix. Boyle was arrested on multiple charges including possession of dangerous drugs, possession of paraphernalia, incorrectly answering a concealed carry question, unlawful use of a transportation means, and use of a weapon in the commission of a felony.

One investigation unearths another.

Police responded to a report of someone threatening others on Squaw Valley Road in Black Canyon City on Saturday afternoon. The altercation was between father and son, with Dusty Nash (24) reporting his father, Kenneth Nash (49), as “threatening him” and Dusty having a firearm in his possession prior to police arrival.

During the investigation, however, police were drawn into a separate assault investigation in which Dusty's girlfriend claimed that the previous day, Dusty had come home from work angry, handcuffed her to a doghouse in their trailer home, and assaulted her. Evidence at the scene was indicative of an assault on his girlfriend and was consistent with her claims, so Dusty was arrested and charged with numerous felony charges. Investigations into both cases remain ongoing.