We take crime very seriously and there is no room for that type of behavior here in in AJ... If you come here, we’re going to enforce the law very strictly.”

AJPD Officer Darwin Banks, who arrested one of the suspects

Apache Junction Police Department, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, has made several arrests in an ongoing investigation into a series of burglaries and thefts targeting construction sites and new residential communities across the Valley.

On Sept. 11, AJPD officers observed individuals stealing plywood from a construction site. The suspects were identified, and a search warrant was served at their residence. During the search, officers recovered tens of thousands of dollars of stolen construction materials and two trailers linked to thefts at construction sites throughout the East Valley, police said.

As part of this ongoing investigation, four individuals have been arrested for multiple charges to include felony theft, burglary, trafficking in stolen property, and possession of stolen property. The investigation continues with anticipated further arrests and charges pending, police said.

Throughout the last several months AJPD has had numerous reports of burglaries on construction sites and have been working with other agencies to apprehend the individuals responsible. AJPD has identified three separate groups responsible for these burglaries and has served multiple search warrants to recover the stolen property.

“We take crime very seriously and there is no room for that type of behavior here in in AJ,” said AJPD Officer Darwin Banks, who arrested one of the suspects. “If you come here, we’re going to enforce the law very strictly.”