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Suspect in stolen car case in Mesa identified

The shooting happened on a smaller street near Main Street and Stapley Drive on Friday morning. The suspect was not struck by lethal gunfire.

MESA, Ariz. — A suspect has been taken into custody and identified for an incident Friday morning near Main Street and Stapley Drive in Mesa, police said. 

The incident was connected to a report of a stolen vehicle, which was eventually found unoccupied outside of a Mesa residence. A 25-year-old man, later identified as Pedro Garcia, was spotted going toward the stolen vehicle, resulting in officers confronting the individual.

Police said Garcia pulled a knife from a sheath in his waistband, pointing it and lunging at at an officer. Garcia told police that he stole the vehicle from Tempe and that he pointed the knife at officers in hopes they would kill him. 

Police said Garcia was not complying with demands from officers before shots were fired. Less-lethal weapons were also deployed.

Two officers fired shots but Garcia was not struck by any lethal rounds, police said. Garcia  was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and has been cleared by medical personnel to be booked into jail, police said. 

Sky12 footage of the scene showed several people coming out of a home with their hands on their heads. Nearby police officers had their guns drawn and pointed toward the building.

No officers were injured. 

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Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities. 

The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media. 

Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous. 

Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case. 

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