Chandler couple posing as real estate agent and potential homebuyer sentenced for SaddleBrooke burglaries

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Deanna Gaw, photo courtesy of Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

John Gaw, photo courtesy of AZ Dept. of Corrections.

Florence – John Gaw, 45, and Deanna Gaw, 42, were sentenced in Pinal County after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary, each.

According to a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Narrative report, John, an actual real estate agent, used an online system to identify homes for sale in SaddleBrooke and his wife, Deanna, posed as a real estate agent booking windows of time for the couple to be at the houses without the homeowners present. While the homeowners believed their house was being shown to a potential homebuyer, the burglaries ensued.

On July 10, 2012, homeowners, suspicious of the couple, reported them to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, providing a description of the man, woman and vehicle they were driving. That same day, a PCSO Deputy saw the vehicle matching the description with an expired Nevada license plate and pulled the vehicle over on Highway 77, as it traveled into Pima County.

After the PCSO Deputy noted latex gloves, women’s jewelry and collector’s coins on the floorboards of the vehicle and further noted the couple matched the description of the suspicious couple reported to police, he requested back-up from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. After establishing probable cause, the Gaw’s were arrested on suspicion of burglary and fraud.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office filed indictments against the couple and on July 29, 2013, John Gaw accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to a 3.5 year term at Arizona Department of Corrections with five years of supervised probation to follow. Deanna Gaw accepted a plea agreement, on April 14, 2014, and was sentenced to 2.5 years at DOC with a three year term of probation to follow.

Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles stated, “Exploiting an online real estate listing service, largely used by the real estate industry, these two criminals abused the trust individuals place in real estate agents to prey on and burglarize unsuspecting homeowners. Victim homeowners, suspicious of their activities, correctly contacted authorities and due to a successful investigation and prosecution, the defendant couple, who previously posed as a potential buyer and agent, has now found a new home in prison for the next several years.”

Staff (5795 Posts)

There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Kearny Police Dispatch to begin serving Dudleyville Fire

    December 19th, 2023
    by

      Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, residents of Dudleyville will be served by the Kearny Police Dispatch services at Kearny Police […]


    Shop Local – It’s a Small Business Season

    November 22nd, 2023
    by

      As the holidays approach, we will be checking our lists and, much like Santa, checking them twice.  We can […]


    Resolution Copper remains resolute, reaches milestone

    October 17th, 2023
    by

        It was a big job, but somebody had to do it.   To nobody’s surprise Resolution Copper got […]


    Hayden-Winkelman Schools seeking former grads who served in the military

    October 17th, 2023
    by

      The Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District is in search of former Hayden High School graduates that have served in one […]


  • Additional Stories

    Early childhood agency funds programs in Pinal County to help prepare children for kindergarten

    October 17th, 2023
    by

    PINAL COUNTY (October 11, 2023) — As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) is pleased to announce the […]


    CASA of Gila County welcomes new Court Appointed Special Advocate in Southern Gila County.

    October 17th, 2023
    by

      “Serving as a CASA volunteer and helping our youth in care, you can impact our future.” Inspirational words shared […]


    Mammoth Police Report – August 24, 2022

    August 26th, 2022
    by

      Items are given to the San Manuel Miner by the Mammoth Police Department and reflect information available at the time […]


    Kearny Police Report – August 17, 2022

    August 8th, 2022
    by

        Items are given to the Copper Basin News by the Kearny Police Department and reflect information available at the […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger