The Pinal County Sheriff’s Air Unit late last month helped locate and rescue some runaway teens.
On Sept. 23, 2012 at 6 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Sycamore Canyon Academy Boys Ranch in Oracle regarding three juveniles who had just run away.
Staff reported two of the boys were 17 years of age and one of the boys was 16. An area check for the juveniles was negative.
On Sept. 24 an off road motorcycle rider was in the area of Charleau Gap near SaddleBrooke. The motorcycle rider observed three juveniles and advised they were acting suspiciously; they also didn’t have any food or water and they asked him not to call 911.
At 1:15 p.m. Search and Rescue Deputies and the PCSO Air Unit responded. The description of the three juveniles matched that of the runaway runaways.
The reporting party met deputies at the trailhead and told them the juveniles were last seen about nine miles down the trail.
The juveniles were located by the PCSO Air Unit and Deputies on the ground. They were provided with water as they were suffering from dehydration. The juveniles were transported off the mountain by a vehicle driven by Search and Rescue members and turned back over to Sycamore Canyon Academy Boys Ranch staff.
“The Air Unit is force multiplier which makes Pinal County a safer place for our families. From the air, the crew has approximately 15 times the surveillance capability of a ground unit therefore making it invaluable in our efforts to reduce crimes,” said Sheriff Paul Babeu.
To comment on this article and others visit the Copper Area News Facebook or send us an email at CBNSun@MinerSunBasin.com