Man arrested after several violent crimes committed in Yuma
24-year-old man linked to seven YPD cases between the years of 2017 to 2023
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Police Department (YPD) announced a major arrest following a years-long investigation into multiple felony crimes across Yuma County.
Yuma Police said 24-year-old Jesus Javier Ibarra-Martinez Jr. now faces 42 felonies.
He's been in custody since February but learned about these new charges on Tuesday.
YPD Police Chief Thomas Garrity said the crimes go back to an attempted murder in May 2017.
The first case from May 2017 involves a 32-year-old man who was shot in the back and suffered from serious injuries in the area of South Magnolia Avenue and West 3rd Street.
YPD said there was also a residential structure that was struck by gunfire in the area of South Magnolia Avenue and West Main Canal Road.
The second case happened in February 2022 where a 31-year-old man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the area of 2nd Street and 5th Avenue.
The third case happened on Januart 21, 2023 where three men held the 46-year-old man at gunpoint and stole his wallet, truck keys, and the victim's 2005 Ford F150 around 2 a.m.
Later that morning, Yuma police responded to the Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) around 4:20 a.m. for a report of a 22-year-old man and a 35-year-old man with gunshot wounds.
Yuma police said the two victims were approached by two other men who shot at them and left in a passenger car.
Around 4:42 a.m., Yuma police received a second report of an 18-year-old young man and two 17-year-old teenagers with gunshot wounds arriving at YRMC.
Yuma police said the three victims were driving in a vehicle when two other men began to shoot at them.
The victims drove away and went to YRMC for medical treatment, two of the victims suffered serious injuries.
Three days later, on January 24, 2023, around 2 a.m. the 2005 Ford F150 was stolen from the first victim's residence, said YPD.
Ibarra-Martinez Jr. was identified as the person who shot all five victims and robbed the victim of his wallet and car keys.
The fourth case happened on January 28, 2023, around 9:30 p.m., when there was an armed robbery near Food City on West 8th Street.
Yuma police said two men were chased by two other men in a white passenger car.
The front passenger of the car pulled out a gray firearm and demanded the victims' belongings.
The driver of the vehicle hit the man on the bike with his car, making him fall.
The fifth case happened on January 29, 2023, where a residence was damaged by bullet impacts.
Officers found multiple casings and a residence damaged by bullets and arrested a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old teenager.
Yuma police discovered Ibarra-Martinez Jr. drove both suspects to the scene and purchased the firearm used in the shooting.
Chief Garrity said since then, these crimes have impacted 16 victims, seven of them shot, but none have died.
Chief Garrity thanked his detectives for their hard work, adding he believes the City of Yuma is safer today.
“These detectives continue to work months, and years after a case happens to make sure we have closure to victims and the community," expressed YPD Police Chief Thomas Garrity.
Ibarra-Martinez is being held on a bond of $1,475,000.
You can watch YPD's press conference below for more details.
You can read the full press release here:
