Shooting leaves one dead
Man opens fire on two would-be car thieves
By Jesus Lopez Jr. and Chris Moeser
The Arizona Republic
July 7, 1999
Steven Jacovo awoke Wednesday morning to thieves trying to steal his white Oldsmobile.
Minutes later, most of his west Phoenix apartment complex awoke to gunfire as Jacovo allegedly fired as many as 15 shots to stop the men, police said.
When the shooting stopped, Jacovo's car was riddled with bullets, one man was dead and Jacovo was on the run, police said.
Wednesday afternoon, Jacovo walked into police headquarters and turned himself in. He was not arrested, police said, and the case will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review.
Jacovo refused an interview with police on advice from his attorney, said Detective Mike McCullough, a Phoenix police spokesman. That has made it more difficult to piece together what happened.
"He's the suspect in a homicide," McCullough said. "Obviously if there's a self-defense issue, that will be addressed by the County Attorney."
The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. at the Eucalyptus Village apartments in the 4900 block of north 39th Avenue, just after Jacovo's brother told him two men were attempting to steal his car.
As Jacovo ran down the stairs to confront the pair, one man tried to escape in the Oldsmobile while the other hopped a fence, according to neighbors.
Jacovo allegedly fired up to 15 shots at the car, killing the man, who has not been identified by police.
Jacovo then fled in his sister's car. Police suspected he was hiding at his grandmother's house in central Phoenix near 10th and Hadley streets. They quickly surrounded the house and used bullhorns to call Jacovo out.
FBI agents swarmed the area in anticipation of Wednesday's visit by President Clinton to nearby areas.
At about 8 a.m., police forced their way into the home, only to find that Jacovo was not there.
A resident of the complex, Joshua Anthony, 22, said the man who jumped the fence attempted to break into his apartment.
Anthony said the shooting seemed "a little excessive."
Jacovo has a criminal record that includes a 1995 indictment for burglary and theft, according to court records.
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Well?
I know that is someone was trying to streal my car I certainly wouldn't put bullet holes in my ride trying to stop him. Two phone calls--one to the police and the second to Allstate. I know the details are sketchy and vague but this doesn't seem like a good shoot. Maybe the thieves were armed? But why put yourself in harms way over a car? Nobodys life was in danger until the owner chose to confront the thieves. I hope the antis don't jump on this--but then again details are still few...
Man opens fire on two would-be car thieves
By Jesus Lopez Jr. and Chris Moeser
The Arizona Republic
July 7, 1999
Steven Jacovo awoke Wednesday morning to thieves trying to steal his white Oldsmobile.
Minutes later, most of his west Phoenix apartment complex awoke to gunfire as Jacovo allegedly fired as many as 15 shots to stop the men, police said.
When the shooting stopped, Jacovo's car was riddled with bullets, one man was dead and Jacovo was on the run, police said.
Wednesday afternoon, Jacovo walked into police headquarters and turned himself in. He was not arrested, police said, and the case will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review.
Jacovo refused an interview with police on advice from his attorney, said Detective Mike McCullough, a Phoenix police spokesman. That has made it more difficult to piece together what happened.
"He's the suspect in a homicide," McCullough said. "Obviously if there's a self-defense issue, that will be addressed by the County Attorney."
The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. at the Eucalyptus Village apartments in the 4900 block of north 39th Avenue, just after Jacovo's brother told him two men were attempting to steal his car.
As Jacovo ran down the stairs to confront the pair, one man tried to escape in the Oldsmobile while the other hopped a fence, according to neighbors.
Jacovo allegedly fired up to 15 shots at the car, killing the man, who has not been identified by police.
Jacovo then fled in his sister's car. Police suspected he was hiding at his grandmother's house in central Phoenix near 10th and Hadley streets. They quickly surrounded the house and used bullhorns to call Jacovo out.
FBI agents swarmed the area in anticipation of Wednesday's visit by President Clinton to nearby areas.
At about 8 a.m., police forced their way into the home, only to find that Jacovo was not there.
A resident of the complex, Joshua Anthony, 22, said the man who jumped the fence attempted to break into his apartment.
Anthony said the shooting seemed "a little excessive."
Jacovo has a criminal record that includes a 1995 indictment for burglary and theft, according to court records.
==========================================
Well?
I know that is someone was trying to streal my car I certainly wouldn't put bullet holes in my ride trying to stop him. Two phone calls--one to the police and the second to Allstate. I know the details are sketchy and vague but this doesn't seem like a good shoot. Maybe the thieves were armed? But why put yourself in harms way over a car? Nobodys life was in danger until the owner chose to confront the thieves. I hope the antis don't jump on this--but then again details are still few...