Suspect arrested for unlawful flight and multiple counts of endangerment | Crime

On Saturday, December 15, at approximately 10:08 a.m., a Sierra Vista police officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Town and Country Drive and Golf Links Road. The driver, later identified as Paul William Riordan, 20 years old of Sierra Vista, gave the officer a false name and date of birth.

After the initial officer could not verify the information provided by Riordan, a backup officer was called to assist. The second officer also tried to get the correct information from Riordan but was unsuccessful. At one point, Riordan slammed the car door shut, started the engine, and drove off. Officers then initiated a pursuit.

During the pursuit, Riordan failed to stop at several stop signs and struck two vehicles after running the stop sign at Golf Links Road and Coronado Drive. Officers continued the pursuit with speeds in excess of 50 mph.

Near the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Oriole Drive one of the tires on Riordan’s vehicle blew out. Riordan lost control of the vehicle and struck a wall near the intersection. Riordan then ran from his vehicle and began jumping walls into multiple backyards off Oriole Drive as officers pursued on foot. Officers finally caught Riordan in the backyard of a residence in the 1300 block of Yucca Drive.

Riordan was charged with: Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, 3 counts of Endangerment, 3 counts of Hit and Run, and Criminal Damage. He was booked into the Cochise County Jail.