Woman accused of assault, possessing stolen gun

Maricopa Police Department arrested a woman accused of assaulting her sister and possessing a stolen firearm Thursday night.  

Officers arrested 23-year-old Pamela Esquivias after they found the stolen gun in her vehicle, according to a probable cause statement obtained by InMaricopa. 

At about 10:30 p.m., police responded to a home on West Costa Blanca Drive in Tortosa after a report of an assault. The caller told dispatch the alleged victim’s sister, Esquivias, was “going crazy” and had a gun. 

While officers headed toward the home, dispatch advised the alleged victim said Esquivias was trying to beat her up and choke her. The alleged victim said the gun was in Esquivias’ car in the driveway. 

Police arrived at the home and asked the alleged victim and her son to come out.  

The alleged victim told officers Esquivias was mad because she did not close the garage all the way and grabbed and squeezed her throat. She told police she was afraid Esquivias would kill her. 

“She choked my mom,” her child told officers. 

Officers found the firearm in Esquivias’ Porsche, and its serial number came back as stolen out of Phoenix, a police document shows. 

During a police interview, Esquivias admitted to grabbing the victim by the throat. Esquivias told officers she met someone off Instagram at Arizona Mills mall in Tempe to buy the firearm, but did not know it was stolen. 

Esquivias was booked into Pinal County jail on two felony counts of aggravated assault, domestic violence, and possession of a stolen firearm. She was also charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and for a warrant out of Maricopa Stanfield Court.  

Esquivias faces more than 11 years in prison. 

Read more public safety stories here.