Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Barry Deibler, 44, was arrested on a warrant and new drug and escape charges and booked into jail.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A man wanted on a DUI warrant added drug and escape charges to his file after running from police at a local hotel on Saturday.
Barry Leighton Deibler, 44, was arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on his warrant regarding DUI and resisting arrest violations, as well as new charges of possession of a narcotic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and escape in the second degree.
Deibler was taken into custody after initially avoiding capture when contacted by an officer at the Budget Inn at 1215 W. Thatcher Blvd. According to a Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy informed Deibler he was under arrest for his warrant and Deibler eluded the deputy while in the hotel room and fled on foot.
The deputy continued to keep watch on the unsecured hotel room, however, and Deibler was located hiding in an SUV that later pulled into the parking lot driven by Deibler’s girlfriend. The deputy recognized the girlfriend, and after advising her of possible charges including harboring a fugitive, she allegedly advised of Deibler’s whereabouts.
As officers approached the SUV, Deibler attempted to flee on foot again, however, officers managed to gain control of him and place him into custody. Officers from the Thatcher and Pima Police departments assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the arrest. He was then transported to the jail and booked on his warrant and new charges.
A search of the hotel room yielded drug paraphernalia, including glass smoking devices, cut straws, and a plastic baggie containing white powder.
According to Deibler’s statement to a deputy, he had 2 grams of what he described as “China White” heroin in the baggie. The substance was sent to an Arizona Department of Public Safety laboratory for testing.
