Investigator: DET. R. SINSABAUGH #714 Reviewer: CAPT. J. WHITE

Typed by: A2545 File: 51697.714

Date/Time

INFORMATION: Interview with Police Officer JOSEPH TURITTO, who was a Security Policeman at Luke A.F.B. when he confronted DOODY and CARATACHEA on 08-21-91. OFFICER TURITTO found CARATACHEA in possession of a Marlin .22 caliber rifle, which was later identified as a murder weapon at the Buddhist Temple.

INVESTIGATIVE LEAD: Police Officer JOSEPH A. TURITTO White male, DOB: 06-08-63 SSN#: 526-73-2915 EMPLOYER: Avondale Police Department 932-3663 Luke A.F.B. Security Police Officer 856-5970 DATE/TIME: February 14, 1992,Friday, 1230 hrs./12:30 p.m. LOCATION: Avondale Police Department DETECTIVE(S): R. SINSABAUGH #714 B. SANDS #708

On February 14, 1992, at approximately 1230 hours, DET. B. SANDS and I (DET. SINSABAUGH), interviewed OFFICER JOSEPH TURITTO at the Avondale Police Department. OFFICER TURITTO is a Reserve Avondale Police Officer at the present time. He is currently a Security Policeman at Luke Air Force Base. He is due to be discharged from the Air Force on 05-15-92, when he plans on becoming a full time Avondale Police Officer.

OFFICER TURITTO related the following information reference his activities involving the stop of ROLANDO CARATACHEA and JONATHAN DOODY on 08-21-91 at Luke A.F.B.

OFFICER TURITTO advised us that he was working as a Security Policeman at Luke Air Force Base on 08-21-91 during the evening shift. Based on briefing information from the day before, OFFICER TURITTO was looking for an Oriental male subject with a mohawk haircut, who was reportedl y pointing guns at people in the base housing area. The subject was apparently driving a gray car, but OFFICER TURITTO was unaware of the source of this information.

On 08-21-91, he learned that Security Police Officer KROPP had stopped ROLANDO CARATACHEA the night before in the base housing area. OFFICER KROPP found ROLANDO CARATACHEA in possession of a . 22 caliber rifle. OFFICER KROPP completed a field interrogation stop on ROLANDO CARATACHEA and released him with the rifle. OFFICER TURITTO began to look for ROLANDO CARATACHEA on 08-21-91 because he wanted to talk to him about the rifle. OFFICER TURITTO felt ROLANDO CARATACHEA might be associated with the report of an Oriental subject pointing guns on the base. He further wanted to ensure that ROLANDO CARATACHEA did not come back on the base with a weapon which is a violation unless it is approved.

On 08-1-91, at approximately 2202 hours, OFFICER TURITTO observed a gray Mustang at 5510A Waipai in the base housing area. OFFICER TURITTO pulled up to investigate the grey Mustang which he thought might be related to their lookout for a gray car driven by an Oriental male who was pointing guns at people. SERGEANT HALSTEAD of the Base Security Police assisted OFFICER TURITTO on the stop. They approached several juveniles who were standing around the car. JONATHAN DOODY said it was his car when they asked who the car belonged to. JONATHAN DOODY showed his identification and after further questioning, he pointed out ROLANDO CARATACHEA, who was with him.

SERGEANT HALSTEAD began talking with ROLANDO CARATACHEA, while OFFICER TURITTO obtained permission from JONATHAN DOODY to search this Mustang. OFFICER TURITTO found a dark colored bank bag underneath the front driver’s seat. He unzipped the bag and showed it to SERGEANT HALSTEAD. The bag contained a stack of foreign bills which he had been collecting. He said he wanted to sell the bills because he needed the money. SERGEANT HALSTEAD returned the bank bag and contents to JONATHAN DOODY, who was released after OFFICER TURITTO did not locate anything further in his car.

ROLANDO CARATACHEA was questioned by OFFICER TURITTO about his rifle which he said was in his car. he accompanied OFFICER TURITTO to his car which was parked nearby on Waipai. Security Police Offices KIMBERLY GAFFREY and MICHAEL BURGAN secured ROLANDO CARATACHEA’s orange 1972 Chevrolet Nova, Arizona License CJJ978 until OFFICER TURITTO arrived. ROLANDO CARATACHEA voluntarily gave OFFICER TURITTO permission to search his vehicle.

OFFICER TURITTO searched the car which appeared as if someone was living in it because the seats were covered with clothing. On the back seat, partially concealed underneath a pile of clothing, OFFICER TURITTO found a .22 caliber Marlin rifle, Model #60, Serial #11319753, which ROLANDO CARATACHEA acknowledged belonged to him. The rifle was not loaded and OFFICER TURITTO noticed several empty plastic ammunition cases in the car. He further found a night stick, handcuffs and a “Rambo” style knife in the car, along with some cassette tapes.

ROLANDO CARATACHEA was advised of his rights by OFFICER TURITTO, who believed ROLANDO CARATACHEA was in violation on the Arizona State Law regarding concealed weapons and minors in possession of firearms. OFFICER TURITTO also said ROLANDO CARATACHEA was in violation of Air Force regulations for carrying the rifle on base.

ROLANDO CARATACHEA agreed to talk to OFFICER TURITTO after acknowledging his rights. He advised OFFICER TURITTO the rifle was a birthday present from his father. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was notified and DEPUTY TERRELL arrived on the scene. ROLANDO CARATACHEA was briefed and escorted off the base, after DEPUTY TERRELL determined there was no violation of state law regarding the gun. DEPUTY TERRELL returned the gun to ROLANDO CARATACHEA, who left the area.

A copy of OFFICER TURITTO’s report is attached to this report. The report was typed for OFFICER TURITTO by Desk Sergeant MELISSA POWELL after she was briefed by OFFICER TURITTO.

Investigator: DET. R. SINSABAUGH #714 Reviewer: SGT. M. MULLAVEY Typed by: A2545 File: 51968.714 Date/Time

SUPPLEMENT REPORT

INVESTIGATIVE LEAD: M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON Luke Air Force Base Security Police/Investigations 856-7398/856-6450 INFORMATION: Interview reference initial contact with ROLANDO CARATACHEA on 08-21-91 at Luke A.F.B. DATE/TIME: May 29, 1992, at 1230 hours LOCATION: Via telephone DETECTIVE: R. SINSABAUGH #714

On May 29, 1992, at approximately 1230 hours, I spoke with MASTER SERGEANT PAUL THOMPSON, who is in charge of the investigative unit of the Security Police at Luke Air Force Base.

M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON assisted OFFICER TURITTO on 08-21-91 when OFFICER TURITTO contacted JONATHAN DOODY and ROLANDO CARATACHEA at Luke Air Force Base. M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON informed he had issued a bulletin to stop ROLANDO CARATACHEA if he was observed on Base. M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON issued this bulletin the night before OFFICER KROPP had stopped ROLANDO CARATACHEA. OFFICER KROPP released ROLANDO CARATACHEA along with a rifle which was found in ROLANDO CARATACHEA’s possession. M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON wanted to correct the situation because ROLANDO CARATACHEA did not have permission to carry a weapon on Base property.

On 08-21-91, at approximately 2200 hours, M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON responded to Waipai Street where OFFICER TURITTO was searching ROLANDO CARATACHEA’s Nova. upon arriving, M/SGT. PAUL THOMPSON observed a .22 caliber rifle on the hood of ROLANDO CARATACHEA’s vehicle which OFFICER TURITTO said he found in the back seat of the car. OFFICER TURITTO had obtained permission from ROLANDO CARATACHEA to voluntarily search his vehicle.

  Back to TEMPLE MURDERS Index

  Back to INTELLIGENCE CONNECTION Index

  Back to DE-CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Index

DE-CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
P.O. Box 58,
Tempe, Arizona 85280
(602) 966-3540
e-mail: quig@dcia.com

 (C) 1996 Intelligence Connection