Tucson Cops Can't Win!

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The most frustrating part, or one of the most frustrating parts of fighting the out-of-control crime in Tucson is that it is such a fixable problem.  For the most part, Tucson cops aren't sitting around scratching their heads trying to figure out how to catch these criminal masterminds.  They catch them all the time and the Pima County Jail, with support from the prosecutors and judges, let them go.  

I'm gonna lay out the contacts involving one SUD (Substance Use Disorder) and an account of his shenanigans in the last year or so.  You will see what he did, what one cop decided to do to stop him, and what this cop faced from his chain of command, the courts, and the jail.  If you weren't already pissed off, you are about to be.  I apologize in advance!

I hope that this investigation shows you, my dear readers, where the frustration experienced by Tucson Police Officers, as well as the residents and the businesses they have sworn to protect, is coming from.  

I will also add that what you are about to read will give you a really good idea about why Tucson is unable (and unwilling) to recruit enough quality street cops and retain the good street cops who are going toe to toe with Tucson's criminal element.  

I will be pulling ZERO punches here so buckle up, you'll enjoy this one!

-James M Voss

**I ask for your patience as I compile all of the information that will paint the picture you need to understand why Tucson Cops Can't Win...Gimmie a couple weeks!

Legend has it Henok is an immigrant from Ethiopia.  He has been on the east side of Tucson for the last couple of years as a member of the drug addicted homeless community.  His drug of choice is fentanyl.  

In or around March or April of 2024, Henok decided that a convenience store was his new bathroom and kitchen.  On several occasions, Henok would enter the store, select several items that were displayed for sale, and then just walk out.  This happened several times.  The store manager contacted a Tucson Police Officer and advised him of this series of shoplifting incidents.  She provided him with surveillance photos of the suspect.  

After some time, Henok was caught by this officer just after one of his kitchen runs.  

Henok was arrested for shoplifting and unlawful possession of narcotic paraphernalia (after a search incident to arrest revealed the cut straw he used to smoke fentanyl).  He was transported to the Pima County Jail.  Henok was officially trespassed from this location and he was advised that he would be arrested if he returned to any part of the property.  He stated he understood and he would not return.  

Shockingly, Henok turned out NOT to be a man of his word and he continued to return to this location several times.  Each time Henok returned to the location, the staff members would advise this officer and provide surveillance photos of the incident.  The officer would then create a case report documenting the crime, upload the surveillance photo, and issue a "stop and arrest" for Henok.  

On many occasions, after Henok was arrested, this officer would request an "area restriction."  What that means is the officer was asking the court to restrict Henok from returning to this location.  If granted, an area restriction would allow officers to arrest Henok for contempt of court in addition to criminal trespassing IF he were to return to this location.

The employees at this business, like most of the residents and businesses in Tucson, grew frustrated with the lack of enforcement by all levels of local law enforcement (to include the jails and the courts).  The manager stated multiple times that the morale in her store took a hit every single time a member of Tucson's drug addicted homeless community acted with such disregard for our laws.

The arrests added up.  On 12/25/2024, Henok was located by the same pesky officer.  A record check showed Henok had 14 (!) outstanding misdemeanor warrants issued by the Tucson City Court, as well as 2 outstanding stop and arrests reference 2 recent kitchen runs.  He was transported to the Pima County Jail where he was booked.

Henok's bond was $4,082 and this officer sheepishly believed the jail and the courts would do the right thing and keep this persistent criminal locked up for a while.  More jail time would also give Henok time to purge the fentanyl from his body and he could potentially have a fair shot at sobriety.  

But then... 

This incident occurred on 1/4/2025 after Henok was released from the PIma County Jail.  I'm not sure if Henok was released from the jail on the 3rd or the 4th, but he was seen by this same officer at the same location!  

The officer approached Henok and told him he was trespassed from the location and he order Henok to put his hands behind his back.  Henok decided NOT to comply and I will be posting the body worn camera footage very soon.  

This is where the BS gets REALLY thick!  Details to follow...

STAY TUNED!!