Prescott AZ (January 25, 2021) – UPDATE – On January 19, 2021, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received information that fugitive Vanessa Lynn Chavez was staying at a residence in the 2800 block of North Cedar Springs Lane in the Castle Canyon Mesa area of Prescott Valley. Remember, Vanessa is day 19 of CATCH 22 and has a failure to appear warrant stemming from 2 counts of Fraud Schemes, 2 counts of Computer Tampering, and 2 counts of Theft. She also has a nationwide extraditable Probation Violation Warrant with a $25,000 bond.
Upon arrival at the residence, deputies contacted 48-year-old Benny Chavez, Vanessa’s husband. The deputies informed him of Vanessa’s warrants and that they believed her to be at the residence. Benny told deputies he hadn’t seen Vanessa in a few weeks and didn’t know where she was. The deputies asked for consent to search the residence for Vanessa. Benny refused to give consent. Later that same day a second agency received a call about Vanessa staying at the residence. Upon contacting him, Benny again told them he hadn’t seen Vanessa in weeks.
Following further investigation by the deputies, it became more apparent that Vanessa was in fact staying at the residence on North Cedar Springs Lane. On January 20, 2021, a YCSO detective applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence in order to take Vanessa into custody.
Just after 5 PM on the 20th, YCSO deputies arrived at the residence as Benny was leaving the residence in his vehicle. They stopped him and detained him while serving the warrant. The deputies had almost completed their search when Vanessa attempted to flee out the back of the residence. A deputy outside the home saw her and took her into custody.
Vanessa Chavez was booked the YCSO Jail on her Failure to Appear Warrant and her Probation Violation Warrant. Benny Chavez was also booked for Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree ARS 13-2512A for harboring Vanessa in the residence, and lying about her presence there with the knowledge that she had active felony warrants.
During the search for Vanessa, deputies were able to develop probable cause that Benny Chavez was in possession of firearms. Benny is a convicted felon and is a prohibited possessor and unable to purchase or possess firearms. On January 21, 2021, a YCSO detective applied for and was granted yet another search warrant for the Cedar Springs Lane residence.
In the afternoon hours, of the 21st, detectives executed the search warrant and located two handguns and a shotgun. Also found inside the home was methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Benny is now facing additional charges of 3 counts of Weapons Misconduct – Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Possessor, Weapons Misconduct – Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Weapons Misconduct – Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Crime, Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Benny remains in the Camp Verde Jail.
Yet again on display is the determination, tenacity, and commitment to the people of this county that our YCSO deputies and detectives apply to each hour of their day to keep this community safe. Great job by all and thank you.
###
Prescott AZ (January 19, 2021) – It’s day 19 of Yavapai Silent Witness’ Catch 22 Program. Today Yavapai County Law Enforcement is asking for your help in finding fugitive Vanessa Lynn Chavez.
Between July 03, 2013, and July 9, 2013, an elderly victim reported to police that someone made multiple withdrawals from his bank account. The victim stated the transactions were from an ATM at a mini-mart in Prescott Valley. The loss to the victim was $1,639 which was more than the victim had in his account.
A Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputy was able to retrieve video evidence of the suspect using the ATM during the time periods when the withdrawals were made. The victim was a resident of a care home in Prescott Valley. The Deputy showed a picture of the suspect to people at the care home and the suspect was identified as Vanessa Lynn Chavez, an employee at the home.
Chavez was located and arrested without incident. She was released and has since failed to appear on several charges. Chavez currently has a failure to appear warrant with a $20,000 stemming from 2 counts of Fraud Schemes, 2 counts of Computer Tampering, and two counts of Theft. She also has a nationwide extraditable Probation Violation Warrant with a $25,000 bond.
Chavez is described as a 39-year-old white female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo that reads, “Vanessa,” above her ankle. Her last known address was in the 2800 block of Cedar Springs Lane in Prescott Valley.
If you provide information that leads to the arrest of #19 of “CATCH 22” you could earn a $500.00 cash reward. To earn the reward, you must call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232 or submit a tip at yavapaisw.com. Remember, you never have to give your name.