Suspect connected to multiple crimes over 6 years faces 42 charges in Yuma
A man who was arrested in Yuma in early February is facing 42 charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault, after police say he was connected to seven incidents that happened between 2017 and 2023.
According to the Yuma Police Department, Jesus Javier Ibarra-Martinez Jr. was booked by the Yuma County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 9 and questioned by Yuma police detectives in reference to several open cases.
Through their investigation, which included interviews and forensics, detectives found that Ibarra-Martinez Jr. was connected to seven incidents dating back to May 2017.
On May 28, 2017, Yuma police responded to the area of South Magnolia Avenue and West Third Street regarding shots fired. When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old who was struck by gunfire in the back and hospitalized with serious injuries. A nearby residence was also struck by gunfire, police said.
Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces several charges in this case, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and participation in a criminal street gang.
On Feb. 26, 2022, Yuma police officers responded to reports regarding a person being shot on Second Street and Fifth Avenue where they found a 31-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Police said they also linked him to shootings and robberies that transpired during the early morning hours of Jan. 21 and involved six victims.
At around 2 a.m., officers responded to reports of a theft on West Buckeye Road and South 10th Avenue, according to a release.
Police learned that three men approached a 46-year-old man on West Buckeye Road and South 10th Avenue while the man was unlocking his 2005 Ford F150. The three men pointed a revolver at the man and stole his wallet and truck keys. That same truck was reported stolen on Jan. 24 from the victim's residence, police said.
Around 4 a.m. on Jan. 21, police found that two men, ages 22 and 35, had been shot near South Margo Drive and West Ninth Street when they were approached by two men who shot at them and left the area in a car. Both victims were hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.
Shortly after, Yuma police officers responded to a call about three people, including two teenagers ages 17 and 18, who were shot near Fifth Street and 17th Avenue. According to police, they were shot at by two men. Both teenagers suffered serious injuries.
Police identified Ibarra-Martinez Jr. as the person to shoot all five people and rob the man of his wallet and car keys, said a release. It was not immediately clear if the other suspects were also arrested.
In relation to these incidents, Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces attempted second-degree murder charges, as well as aggravated assault, armed robbery and gang-related charges.
On Jan. 28, two men were assaulted by two men in an attempted armed robbery at a Food City on South 13th Avenue and West Eighth Street, police said. Ibarra-Martinez Jr. faces aggravated assault and armed robbery charges.
And on Jan. 29, Yuma police officers responded to reports of shots fired near East 22nd Street and South Walnut Avenue where they found multiple casings and a house damaged by bullet impacts. Police arrested a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old in connection to the incident.
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Police said that their investigation found that Ibarra-Martinez Jr. drove both teenagers to the area and bought the firearm that was used in the shooting, according to a release. He faces several aggravated assault and gang-related charges.
Yuma police said there were a total of 16 victims, with seven of them shot.
Ibarra-Martinez Jr. has been in custody since his arrest in February, according to Yuma police, and faces the following charges:
2 charges of attempted first-degree murder
3 charges of attempted second-degree murder
14 charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/dangerous instrument
6 charges of aggravated assault with serious physical injury
2 charges of discharging a firearm at a residential structure
1 charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon
3 charges of attempted armed robbery
1 charge of theft of means of transportation
5 charges of endangerment
2 charges of participating in a criminal street gang
2 charges of gang-knowingly inciting or inducing others to engage
1 charge of misconduct involving a weapon
Police asked anyone with any information regarding the case to call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suspect connected to multiple crimes faces 42 charges in Yuma
