Luis Antonio Zavala Ayon arrested following vehicle pursuit

On Monday at 9:30 p.m. a Pinal County sheriff’s deputy was working in the area of Vekol Valley and Interstate 8. 

He attempted to stop a 1992 Chevy Suburban but, when the driver saw the emergency lights, he fled at a high rate of speed. A short time later, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which became high centered on a dirt shoulder. A Hispanic male suspect got out of the vehicle and ran into the desert.

The deputy involved in the pursuit was a K-9 handler. The suspect was given repeated commands to stop, yet he failed to do so. The K-9 was deployed, and the suspect was detained until deputies could take him into custody. 

The suspect was identified as Luis Antonio Zavala Ayon (age 30 of Mexico).

Ayon told deputies he was headed to pick up a group of illegal aliens, but there was too much law enforcement presence in the area so he decided to leave. He told deputies there were other individuals in his vehicle when he fled. An area check was conducted with negative results.

Ayon was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of unlawful flight, failure to comply with a law enforcement officer and human smuggling.

Photo courtesy of PCSO