Man allegedly involved in previous assault caught with heroin for sale

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Anthony Garcia, 30, was arrested for possession of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale after being pointed out as having been involved in a previous assault with his brother, Richie Garcia.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A man who allegedly was involved in an assault in which his brother broke a cheekbone and a rib of a man complaining about his reckless driving was apprehended Tuesday, May 28, with approximately 2.8 grams of heroin. 

According to a Safford Police report, a relative of the victim saw Anthony Garcia, 30, walking with his girlfriend and recognized him as having taken part in a May 5 assault with his brother, Richie Pablo Garcia, 29. That assault was reportedly the second incident for Richie that night and occurred after he drove his white, Dodge extended-cab Ace Industries Inc. work truck into the Court Street Apartments at a high rate of speed. The victim confronted Richie about driving recklessly in the area and a physical confrontation ensued. (Gila Herald: Police issue ATL for man regarding two separate aggravated assaults – May 11, 2019) Richie Garcia was later apprehended May 17 after being spotted at Walmart. 

An officer was dispatched at about 9:38 p.m. to the area of 7th Street and 8th Avenue and the reporting party pointed out Anthony Garcia pushing his girlfriend in a wheelchair. It was later found out that the girlfriend was not injured. 

The officer stopped the pair and after running Anthony’s name learned of an active warrant for his arrest. While searching him prior to putting him under arrest, a baggie of heroin fell out of his pocket onto the ground. Anthony allegedly stepped on the baggie, but the officer pushed him back and collected the heroin, which turned out to weigh 2.8 grams, including the baggie. 

A further search of a black bag on the wheelchair yielded several empty plastic baggies and syringes. 

Due to the weight of the heroin being over the threshold of 1 gram for personal use, Anthony Garcia was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on charges of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and his warrant.