Gila Herald Staff Reports
THATCHER — A local man was given multiple charges following a series of events that culminated in a near-collision with a police cruiser on Tuesday, June 30.
Paul Christopher Price, 37, was initially arrested and booked into the Graham County Jail on charges of kidnapping, domestic violence assault, disorderly conduct, DUI, and possession of an open liquor container in a motor vehicle. On July 8, Price waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over to Superior Court on charges of unlawful imprisonment, disorderly conduct/fighting, assault, and DUI.
Emergency Response to Silent 911 Call
According to Thatcher Police reports, the incident began at approximately 8:39 p.m. when authorities received an emergency 911 call originating from a residence on West Fuller Street. Dispatchers advised responding units that while no one would speak directly to the call taker, an open line captured intense yelling and screaming in the background before the call went silent.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact at the residence. After repeated knocking at the front door and windows went unanswered, officers entered the property’s backyard through a side gate, where they noticed the back door of the home was left wide open.
A protective sweep of the house revealed it was empty. However, an officer searching the backyard noticed movement inside a detached shop building. Inside the shed, authorities discovered a woman and her two young children who had barricaded themselves inside the structure to hide.
Alleged Confinement and Injury
According to the investigation, an argument erupted inside the home after Price returned from work. The dispute allegedly escalated when Price became angry regarding the woman wearing headphones.
The victim reported that during the altercation, Price forcefully grabbed her by the arms, lifted her up, and carried her into a middle bedroom. He then allegedly shoved her into the room, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the floor. Price then reportedly stood in the doorway with his arms outstretched, blocking the exit and refusing to let her leave.
While confined to the room, the woman managed to grab Price’s cellphone, dial 911, and leave the line open. Once Price realized emergency services had been contacted, he fled the scene in a grey BMW sedan.
The victim, who expressed that she was in fear for her life and the lives of her children, sustained a severely bruised and discolored right foot during the incident, as well as minor red marks on her arms.
Traffic Stop and Arrest
While officers were still on the scene interviewing neighbors—who confirmed hearing a loud disturbance regarding headphones—Price’s grey sedan was spotted turning back onto Fuller Street.
An officer positioned a fully marked patrol vehicle with activated emergency lights to block the roadway. Price allegedly failed to yield immediately, continuing forward and nearly colliding with the front of the parked police cruiser before eventually pulling over onto the sidewalk.
Price was immediately ordered out of the vehicle and placed under arrest. Officers on the scene reported a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Price, who exhibited slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and erratic behavior. A search of his person revealed an unopened small bottle of Fireball whiskey in his front pocket. A subsequent plain-sight view of the vehicle’s front passenger floorboard revealed multiple empty alcohol containers, including several empty whiskey “shooters” and a beer can.
Price admitted to authorities that he had been drinking earlier in the evening but denied touching the victim or the children, and denied that the argument was about headphones.
Booking and Blood Draw
Price was transported to the Thatcher Police Department, where he refused to participate in standard field sobriety tests or consent to an administrative blood draw. After a search warrant was secured, Price was transported to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center for a medical clearance and a forensic blood draw, which was completed at 11:48 p.m.
During his time in custody, Price was described as highly uncooperative and agitated, repeatedly complaining about the tightness of his handcuffs. Officers noted that the cuffs were verified and adjusted multiple times for comfort, and Price was provided with multiple cups of water throughout the evening.
Following his medical clearance, Price was transported to the Graham County Jail, where he was booked on all five counts. He was also served with an automatic 12-month driver’s license suspension for refusing the chemical test.
