Tucson couple jailed after beating man with a shovel

Jon Jonson File Photo/Gila Herald: A Tucson couple were booked into the jail after allegedly assaulting a man at his residence with a shovel.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – A Tucson couple who had been staying at a man’s residence were jailed Sunday after allegedly assaulting the man with a shovel and then fleeing into the desert.

Meygan Tourangeau, 34, was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on charges of aggravated assault, criminal damage, possession of a dangerous drug (methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia, and William Donahue, 52, was booked on charges of assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, the Tucson couple had borrowed the victim’s car to make a trip to Tucson but the vehicle had overheated – according to Tourangeau’s statements to police – and they left it in Tucson. After getting a ride and returning to the residence, the victim advised that he would not give the couple the property they left at his residence until law enforcement came.

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Meygan Tourangeau

After that, Tourangeau allegedly broke into the residence using a shovel and struck the victim. Donahue allegedly assisted in the assault as well. During the assault, the victim’s property, including a chair, windows, and door, were damaged. After receiving an initial statement, the victim was taken by paramedics to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

After striking the victim, the couple reportedly fled into the desert during the high noon heat. At about 4 p.m., deputies were dispatched to an area of south 14th Avenue for a welfare check of a couple who were sitting under a bush. The couple’s clothing matched the description of those who assaulted the victim.

Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: William Donahue

During a search, a glass pipe was found in Donahue’s possession and syringes and a quantity of meth was found in Tourangeau’s possession. The syringes also tested positive for meth.

While Tourangeau denied even being at the victim’s residence, Donahue said they returned from Tucson by that the victim wouldn’t give them their property and told them they had to wait for the police. He said Tourangeau got tired of waiting and said, “I’ll show you how to get stuff” and walked toward the residence. Donahue said he then later observed Tourangeau strike the victim with a shovel but denied kicking him as stated by the victim.

Tourangeau denied striking the victim with the shovel. Both Tourangeau and Donahue were then arrested and booked into the jail on their above-listed charges.