Dustin Peterson was arrested in Gilbert on Jan. 24 on suspected charges of stalking and aggravated harassment.

A Maricopa woman contacted Maricopa Police Department Jan. 23 to report court orders being violated numerous times by Peterson, her ex-boyfriend. She explained she had an order of protection against Peterson since August 2019, but he continued to contact her. Upon arrival at the woman’s location, police listened to multiple voicemails left by Peterson starting in December that included Peterson leaving insulting messages, using racist and vulgar terms. Other messages had physical threats, like punching the woman in the mouth.

One message, in particular, was Peterson allegedly saying he was on his way to her home and she better be there, “or else.”

During the interview with police, Peterson called the woman. An officer answered the phone. The officer reported Peterson cussed him out and disconnected the calls several times.

Police told Peterson he was committing felony offenses with the repeated contact with the woman. MPD attempted to get Peterson’s location, but he refused after being told he would be placed under arrest. The woman told officers after they left, Peterson allegedly texted her about the officer who answered the phone.

Upon being located on East Baseline Road in Gilbert the next day, Peterson was arrested. He reportedly admitted he knew about the order of protection against him. Additionally, he claimed he didn’t believe the officer on the phone was actually a police officer at the time and was annoyed when his ex-girlfriend wouldn’t respond to him.

Peterson was booked into Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail with a hold for Pinal County Jail.