Two people Maricopa police found driving a pickup truck stolen out of Chandler were charged Monday in connection with the auto theft, plus possession of dangerous drugs. 

Maricopa police investigators on Monday charged Paul V. Gildea, 35, and Ashley R. Cruz, 32, on a half-dozen criminal charges — he got drugs, resisting arrest and displaying a stolen plate, and she got drugs, paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

An MPD patrol officer said he found a 2022 Toyota Tacoma bearing a license plate listing the truck as stolen parked in the parking lot of Circle K on Honeycutt Road near Porter Road. It was unoccupied. 

The officer reports Gildea walked out of the convenience store and approached him. 

“I asked if the vehicle was his and he stated yes,” the officer said. “He was immediately detained.” 

The officer said Gildea resisted arrest after he was handcuffed by attempting to run away from the officer.  

“He was immediately tackled and placed in a patrol car,” the reporting officer said. 

Gildea said the stolen truck belonged to Cruz, his girlfriend who was inside the store. 

Officers went into the store and found her in the women’s restroom trying to flush drugs down the toilet. 

“A clear baggie with white powder was recovered from the toilet,” the police report said. “A small, colored pill was found in her pocket after she was arrested. It was believed to be fentanyl.”

A search of the stolen truck uncovered drug paraphernalia, including burnt straws and a scale. Police seized the paraphernalia. 

Cruz on Monday was transported to the Pinal County jail and Gildea was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained during his arrest. They each face up to five years in prison.