Teen Arrested, Driver Sought After Arizona Department of Public Safety Detective Ambushed While in Unmarked Police Car

PHOENIX -- A teen was arrested and an adult suspect is still at large following the ambush of a Arizona Department of Public Safety detective early Thursday morning.

Authorities were conducting a criminal investigation around the 3700 block of Roosevelt Street in Phoenix when a detective, who was dressed in attire which clearly identified him as an officer, was seated in his unmarked police vehicle facing south on 37th Avenue, south of Portland Street, according to a news release.

As the detective sat in his vehicle, a silver Infinity passenger car, traveling northbound, approached him. The driver of the Infinity stopped the vehicle near the front of the detective’s vehicle and honked the horn. At that moment, the front seat passenger stepped out of the Infinity and ambushed the detective, firing an AK Pistol variant as the detective exited his vehicle and returned fire.

A second detective, who was nearby responded to the scene, also engaged the shooter.

The driver of the Infinity fled the area, leaving the shooter behind. The two detectives were able to apprehend the the teen, identified as 17-year-old Luis German Espinoza Acuna.

Neither the detectives or the suspect were injured in the shooting.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking the public’s assistance with locating the suspect driver and a silver 2008-2013 Infinity sedan. The vehicle has a temporary paper license plate and appears to have chipped or missing paint just below the plate. If anyone sees the vehicle, they should call 9-1-1 immediately.

Information can also be provided by telephone at 877-2-SAVEAZ (877-272-8329), or anonymously on the AZDPS website https://www.azdps.gov/tips.