Sheriff’s Office disputes misinformation on missing couple

A missing Maricopa woman has not been robbing banks in Mesa, and the FBI is not on the case. According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, those were two cases of bad information making the circuit as the search continues for Michael and Tina Careccia of Maricopa.

Social media went into gossip mode when enterprising Facebook users tried to compare a photo of Tina Careccia to a photo of a wanted bank robber. According to PCSO, it has been confirmed that she is not the person in the surveillance photo from a Mesa bank.

A television news outlet also mistakenly stated the FBI was involved in the case of the missing couple. That was then repeated across the social media as well. PCSO says it is not true and detectives have not had cause to bring in the FBI.

“All available resources” from PCSO are involved in the search. Spokesman Mark Clark said the number of personnel varies according to the tips coming in.

“There is a squad of detectives assigned to assist with the case and dedicated search personnel are used as needed,” he said.

PCSO has searched the desert on the ground and from the air and with K9 officers. Private citizens have also coordinated their own search in the desert area. Tips have come in, but that has not led to the couple.

The Careccias reportedly were last seen at their Hidden Valley home early Monday morning. They were reported missing after they did not show up at work. Their Honda Accord was later found near Ralston and Papago roads.

According to PCSO, there were no signs the couple was lost in the desert. There is no indication whether they left of their own will or at the hand of someone else.