Man charged in accomplice’s death after adult store robbery

A Queen Creek man has been charged with first-degree murder in the deputy-involved shooting death of his alleged accomplice in an adult boutique near Picacho Peak two days before Christmas.

Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles announced the charges Tuesday against suspect Adam Chavez, 23.

Chavez and Matthew Clowers are accused of robbing an adult boutique at gunpoint, restraining the employee and fleeing a sheriff’s deputy. The incident ended in the deputy shooting the suspects; Clowers was killed and Chavez had two bullet wounds, according to a press release.

Chavez was indicted by the Pinal County grand jury Dec. 30 on one count of first-degree homicide, a class 1 felony; one count of armed robbery, a class 2 dangerous felony; one count of kidnapping, a class 2 dangerous felony; one count of aggravated assault, a class3 dangerous felony; one count of misconduct involving a weapon, a class 4 dangerous felony, and one count unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle, a class 5 felony.

In Arizona, anyone can be charged with and found guilty of committing first-degree homicide if the person or another person causes the death of another person in the course of or during immediate flight from committing certain offenses outlined by Arizona statutes, the press release stated.

“Violent offenders may not know the full consequences of their actions, but that holds no bearing when administering justice,” Voyles said. “Whether a suspect pulls the trigger or not, if committing any of the statutorily enumerated felonies and another individual dies as a result, that suspect potentially faces charges of first-degree murder.”

Chavez is being held on a $250,000 bond.