In the late hours of a Friday night in Phoenix, Arizona, a sequence of events unfolded that tragically ended the life of 38-year-old Roberto Perez. On July 7, 2017, police responded to a report of shots fired in the western part of the city. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr. Perez inside a vehicle, suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed towards a robbery that had taken a violent turn.
Authorities believe that the incident stemmed from a drug deal that went wrong, culminating in the death of Roberto Perez. The motive, as understood by law enforcement, was to rob the victim.
In the days following the incident, the Phoenix Police Department made significant progress in the case, leading to the arrest of three individuals. Anthony Elias Thomas, who was 26 at the time, 35-year-old Luis Carlos Urias, and Crystal Amy Allison, then 33, were taken into custody in connection with the homicide.
The three suspects faced serious charges for their alleged involvement in the death of Roberto Perez. The charges brought against them included first-degree murder, armed robbery, and possession of dangerous drugs for sale. Following their initial court appearances, a judge set a bond of $1 million for each of the accused, reflecting the severity of the alleged crimes.
