Man sought in Hidden Valley burglaries barricades himself in home

The Pinal County SWAT team was called out Thursday after a man discovered earlier this month hiding in a Maricopa-area residence barricaded himself in a home.

Joseph A. McKay, 37, was found barricaded at a Queen Creek home about 12:30 p.m. when authorities responded to a welfare check after he made suicidal statements and stated he wanted “suicide by cop,” according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

McKay was wanted for previous burglaries in Hidden Valley, the sheriff’s office said.

About 4:30 p.m., McKay emerged from under the home where he had been hiding and surrendered, authorities said.

He was arrested and charged with Burglary, Criminal Damage, Failure to comply with court order, Resisting Arrest, Theft and Trespassing, the sheriff’s office said.

McKay was booked into the Pinal County Jail, where he remains, according to online inmate records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26.

On Jan. 12, McKay was found hiding in a closet of a home on North Warren Road after the property owner discovered someone staying in the residence without his permission and summoned sheriff’s deputies, according to Pinal County Superior Court records.

A vehicle in the backyard that did not belong to the property owner had been recently reported stolen, deputies discovered.

While searching the home, deputies reported finding McKay in a bedroom closet, allegedly with the keys of the stolen vehicle in his pocket.