Contributed Photos/Courtesy Cochise County Sheriff’s Office: Isaiah Walker, 23, of Oklahoma, was arrested after allegedly stealing this semi-truck loaded with Corvettes and heading north toward Graham County. He was apprehended and booked into Cochise County Jail.
Suspect said he was looking for a way home from prison
Contributed Article/Courtesy Cochise County Sheriff’s Office
WILLCOX – On Feb. 15, a victim was assaulted and robbed at the Willcox Loves Truck Stop.
Mr. Isaiah Walker, 23 of Lawton Oklahoma, spoke to the victim about his truckload, lulled him into a sense of security, and when the victim was entering his vehicle Mr. Walker grabbed the victim and threw him from the cab.
The suspect then entered the vehicle, locked the door, stole the vehicle, and drove it from the parking lot. The stolen vehicle, a car hauling semi, was transporting 10 Chevrolet C8 Corvettes with an estimated value above $1,250,000 and left the area traveling north on Fort Grant Road.
A deputy from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department located the stolen vehicle near Fort Grant Road and Browns Market where the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which failed to yield to the deputy’s emergency lights and sirens. The stolen vehicle began driving recklessly which caused vehicles to leave the roadway. As the stolen vehicle approached North Fort Grant Road and County Line Road, the vehicle turned onto County Line Road and stopped.
Mr. Walker was taken into custody by the deputy and a Willcox Police officer, who provided Mr. Walker with his Miranda Rights and interviewed him on the scene. Mr. Walker admitted to stealing the vehicle and advised that the Corvettes were not the reason and that he needed a truck to get home as he had just been released from prison. Mr. Walker was booked into the Cochise County Jail for multiple felony charges including robbery, 11 counts of theft of means of transportation, and felony theft.
“I am extremely proud of the officer and deputy involved in this investigation,” Willcox Police Chief Dale Hadfield said. “The deputy and officer showed great restraint and patience in bringing a serious crime to a peaceful resolution, all while keeping the property of others from being damaged. The stolen vehicle was safely recovered without damage and was released to the driver so he could continue his delivery. Again, I thank the officer and deputy who were involved in this investigation for keeping our citizens safe.”
