Thursday September 7- YCSO Deputies were searching for $1200 worth of items that were stolen from a vehicle at Granite Dells trail on September 1st. One of the items was a pair of Air Pods that were pinging at a particular location in Sun City in Maricopa County. Deputies determined the occupants, Justin James Krista, had previous convictions for burglary, theft, impersonation, fraud us credit card, theft of vehicle, dangerous drugs, identity theft, trespassing and criminal damage. His ex-wife, Sarah Benjamin who also lived at the address, had arrests for identity theft, drug paraphernalia, assault, and destruction of evidence. Deputies also found this address was associated with a second trail head burglary in Black Canyon City August 28, 2022.
Deputies, with the help of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a search of the residence after obtaining a warrant and located several items from the vehicle burglary. Also during the search, they located over a quarter pound of methamphetamine in thirty different baggies packaged for sale, as well as associated paraphernalia and a loaded rifle. Both Krista and Benjamin are prohibited possessors of firearms from felony convictions.
Krista was tipped off about the arrival of law enforcement and had left his place of employment before deputies arrived. His whereabouts are unknown. Sarah Benjamin will be charged with numerous offenses.