Police used bullet fragments to track down suspected Arizona 'highway sniper' who is accused of randomly shooting 11 cars but has pleaded his innocence

  • Leslie Allen Merritt Jr, 21, was arrested at Walmart in a suburb of Phoenix on Friday night but he told a judge on Saturday they've 'got the wrong guy'
  • Investigators matched bullet fragments to a 9mm handgun Merritt allegedly pawned that officials confirmed was used in at least four of the shootings
  • Merritt was charged with 28 felony counts including aggravated assault, criminal damage, disorderly conduct and intentional acts of terrorism
  • Suspect's father Allan Merritt, Sr said, 'whoever thinks my son is the I-10 shooter is a moron' and mother-in-law maintained he was innocent as well
  • Have been 11 shootings of vehicles near Phoenix since August 29
  • There have been no serious injuries, though a 13-year-old girl's ear was cut by glass after a bullet shattered a window of a car she was riding in

Arizona police and federal officials said they followed a trail of evidence beginning with bullet fragments to arrest the 'highway sniper' suspected of carrying out the Phoenix freeway shootings.

Leslie Allen Merritt Jr told a judge during a court appearance on Saturday that authorities have 'the wrong guy' but his bail was set at $1million after a prosecutor said he is a danger to the community.

Merritt, a 21-year-old landscaper, told the judge he was not the shooter and that he had no access to his gun because it's been in a pawn shop for two months.

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In court on Saturday: Leslie Allen Merritt Jr, the man arrested in the Phoenix freeway shootings, told a judge during his first court appearance on Saturday that authorities have 'the wrong guy'

In court on Saturday: Leslie Allen Merritt Jr, the man arrested in the Phoenix freeway shootings, told a judge during his first court appearance on Saturday that authorities have 'the wrong guy'

The judge set bail at $1million for Merritt (pictured in court on Saturday), after a prosecutor said he presents a danger to the community

The judge set bail at $1million for Merritt (pictured in court on Saturday), after a prosecutor said he presents a danger to the community

Merritt is accused of shooting 11 cars along Interstate 10 in Phoenix but he said he had no access to a gun

Merritt is accused of shooting 11 cars along Interstate 10 in Phoenix but he said he had no access to a gun

Police say he shot four cars on August 29 and 30 on Interstate 10 in Phoenix and they have forensic evidence linking his 9mm handgun to the shootings, the Arizona Republic reported. 

After identifying the type of gun using the ballistic evidence, police looked for that specific type of weapon at pawn shops and eventually came across the right gun at Mo Money Pawn in Phoenix.

Investigators matched the gun to the bullet fragments from the scene and then were able to identify the suspect using records that were kept by the pawn shop. 

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said: 'There's no independent tip that substantiated information that led to the arrest.

'This was the result of exhaustive police work.'

Merritt was charged with 28 felony counts including aggravated assault, criminal damage, disorderly conduct, carrying out a drive-by shooting and intentional acts of terrorism.

Police arrested Merritt at a Wal-Mart in Glendale, a suburb west of Phoenix, on Friday around 7pm.

Officials say at the time of the arrest, Merritt was with his baby's mother and his five-year-old child outside of the store. 

He was the only one taken into custody.  

His family says there's no way he could have done the awful things he is accused of. 

KPHO spoke with Merrit's mother-in-law Cynthia Sauceda who said that he 'has a big heart' and is not capable of harming anyone. 

She rushed over to the Walmart after learning about his arrest online.

'I'm just saying he's not like that, that's not even him, that's not in his heart,' she said. 

Convinced he's innocent: Suspect Leslie 'Les' Allen Merritt Jr. Jr.'s mother-in-law Cynthia Sauceda (pictured) said that he 'has a big heart' and is not capable of harming anyone. She rushed over to the Walmart after learning about his arrest online

Convinced he's innocent: Suspect Leslie 'Les' Allen Merritt Jr's mother-in-law Cynthia Sauceda (pictured) said that he 'has a big heart' and is not capable of harming anyone

Father's short response: The suspect's father Allan Merritt, Sr. just said, 'whoever thinks my son is the I-10 shooter is a moron.'

Father's short response: The suspect's father Allan Merritt, Sr just said, 'whoever thinks my son is the I-10 shooter is a moron'

'Especially when he's working hard to support his two kids, this is his son and he goes to work and he does everything that he is supposed to be doing,' Sauceda added

The suspect's father Allan Merritt, Sr. just said, 'whoever thinks my son is the I-10 shooter is a moron.'

Sauceda said she doesn't know what made him a target but is convinced that police have the wrong guy.

'He's not an animal trust me I know, I know he's not,' she said. 

Arrested: Police arrested 21-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. (above) at a Wal-Mart in Glendale, a suburb west of Phoenix, on Friday around 7pm. On Saturday he told a judge that they 'have the wrong guy'

Arrested: Police arrested 21-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. (above) at a Wal-Mart in Glendale, a suburb west of Phoenix, on Friday around 7pm. On Saturday he told a judge that they 'have the wrong guy'

The suspected 'highway sniper'

Surveillance: The Arizona Department of Public Safety had reportedly been monitoring Merritt Jr. (above) all day on Friday

An official said that DPS located a 9mm handgun that was recently pawned by Merritt Jr. (above) and that it matched the same one used in the first four freeway shootings

An official said that DPS located a 9mm handgun that was recently pawned by Merritt Jr. (above) and that it matched the same one used in the first four freeway shootings

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the arrest of the suspect in the tweet above 

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the arrest of the suspect in the tweet above 

Authorities were monitoring Merritt the entire day of Friday after they determined that a weapon he owned is forensically linked to the incidents.

Milstead added that Arizonians have been incredible with their leads in the shootings and that copycat cases are still possible. 

Last week, Milstead said that he believed there could be multiple shooters and has previously called the incidents 'domestic terrorism crimes.' 

At a press conference on Friday night, Arizona Department of Public Safety director Frank Milstead said that Merritt Jr. (above) is linked to four shootings that happened on August 29 and August 31

Merritt Jr. (above) faces a wide-range of charges, including criminal damage, aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm, officials say

Col. Frank Milstead (center), Director of the Department of Public Safety speaks during a press conference on Friday, September 18. He is flanked by ATF Special Agent in Charge Tom Atteberry (left) and U.S Marshall for the District of Arizona David Gonzales (right)

Col. Frank Milstead (center), Director of the Department of Public Safety speaks during a press conference on Friday, September 18. He is flanked by ATF Special Agent in Charge Tom Atteberry (left) and U.S Marshall for the District of Arizona David Gonzales (right)

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote the above tweet about the suspect being arrested on Friday

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote the above tweet about the suspect being arrested on Friday

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote on Twitter that lab analysis confirmed that the same gun used in the freeway shootings is the same one that was pawned

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote on Twitter that lab analysis confirmed that the same gun used in the freeway shootings is the same one that was pawned

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote the message above on Twitter celebrating the 'great news' about the suspect's arrest

Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio wrote the message above on Twitter celebrating the 'great news' about the suspect's arrest

Governor Doug Ducey announced the arrest in a tweet that said: 'We got him! DPS SWAT team is in custody of the individual suspected of I-10 shootings. Apprehended moments ago.'  

Since August 29, there have been 11 confirmed shootings of vehicles in the Phoenix area involving bullets or other projectiles. 

Most of the incidents occurred along Interstate 10, a major route through the city.

There have been no serious injuries, though a 13-year-old girl's ear was cut by glass after a bullet shattered a window of a vehicle she was riding in.

There has not been a confirmed shooting in the case since September 10. 

The shootings have prompted several school districts to keep their buses off freeways, and some motorists have altered their commutes to avoid driving I-10.

Authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case and also distributed thousands of fliers in neighborhoods along I-10 to raise awareness about the shootings and the reward, but they have been tight-lipped about any details in the case.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said state troopers have stepped up patrols, while other agencies assisting in the investigation have included Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa police as well as the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

High alert: Drivers in Phoenix have been on high alert after at least nine vehicles in 10 days were shot at while driving on local freeways. 

Arizona Department of Public Safety officers inspect a tractor trailer with a bullet hole in the passenger door shortly after it was shot near 67th Ave and I-10, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Phoenix

High alert: Drivers in Phoenix have been on high alert after at least nine vehicles in 10 days were shot at while driving on local freeways. The photo above shows a bullet hole in one of the vehicles that was hit

High alert: Drivers in Phoenix have been on high alert after at least nine vehicles in 10 days were shot at while driving on local freeways. The photo above shows a bullet hole in one of the vehicles that was hit

'I think it's fair to say since a week ago, we've made headway in this case,' Graves said earlier Friday.

Meanwhile Friday, a judge ordered the release of 19-year-old Oscar De La Torre Munoz, who was detained at a convenience store September 11 and questioned regarding the shootings. 

Authorities have declined to explain why Munoz was questioned about the shootings but have said he was not a prime suspect.

He was arrested on an alleged probation violation stemming from marijuana found in the man's house during a September 11 search based on a tip that he was violating probation by possessing a gun.

Munoz had been sentenced to probation on an endangerment conviction for excessive speeding and fleeing from police.

Route: Most of the shootings occurred along Interstate 10, which is a major route through the city

Route: Most of the shootings occurred along Interstate 10, which is a major route through the city

A judge ordered the release on Friday of 19-year-old Oscar De La Torre Munoz (above), who was detained at a convenience store September 11 and questioned regarding the shootings

A judge ordered the release on Friday of 19-year-old Oscar De La Torre Munoz (above), who was detained at a convenience store September 11 and questioned regarding the shootings

THE 11 SHOOTINGS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY ARIZONA STATE DETECTIVES:

Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 11:10 am: A SUV was traveling east on Interstate 10 at 19th Avenue and was struck by a bullet.

Saturday, August 29, 2015, between 11:10 am and 11:25 am: An unoccupied commercial tour bus was traveling west on Interstate 10 between 35th Avenue and 67th Avenue and was struck by a bullet.

Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 10:15 pm: A passenger car was traveling east on Interstate 10 at the mini-stack (east of 16th Street) and was struck by a bullet.

Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 9:45 pm: A passenger car was traveling west on Interstate 10 between Sky Harbor Boulevard and SR 51 and was stuck by a bullet.

Monday, August 31, 2015, at 4:30 am: A pickup truck was traveling east on Interstate 10 between 24th Street and 40th Street and was struck by a bullet.

Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 5:50 pm: A box truck was traveling south on Interstate 17 near Dunlap Road and a ladder attached to it was struck by a bullet.

Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 8:30 pm: A passenger car was traveling west on SR 202 between 32nd Street and 24th Street and was struck by a bullet. This vehicle was involved in an earlier incident with another passenger car.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 5:21 am: A box truck was traveling west on Interstate 10 at 27th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015, between 5:35 am and 5:37 am: A pickup truck was traveling east on Interstate 10 between 43rd Avenue and 35th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.

Wednesday, September 09, 2015, at 10:45 am: A pickup was traveling east on Interstate 10 near 39th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.

Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 9:40 am: Detectives were called to the area of 83rd Avenue and Latham to investigate a hole found in the side of a commercial truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer. It was determined the hole was caused by a bullet strike. It has not been determined when or at what location the semi-trailer was struck.

 

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