Mesa bus stop hit-run suspect on the loose

As Mesa police continued their search for the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run, a dispute brewed Wednesday about whether people actually stole groceries from the man who was killed.

Police ID suspect in fatal hit-run at bus stop

Police officers and at least one witness have said bystanders looted a man’s groceries after he was hit by an out-of-control pickup truck driver Tuesday night at a bus stop.

But people working nearby — some of whom witnessed the aftermath —said Wednesday there was no looting and that bystanders helped the man, who died at the scene. Witnesses also called 911 and some attempted to follow the truck, they said.

Police on Wednesday named the man they believe was driving the pickup as 23-year-old Alan Ricardo Flores-Ocon. He had not been located late in the day.

Flores was convicted in 2003 for unlawful use of a means of transportation. Police had found his fingerprints in a stolen vehicle, and he admitted to driving it but not to stealing it, according to court records.

He spent two months in jail for the conviction and was off probation in January 2005, records show.

Officers found the blue GMC pickup involved in Tuesday’s hit-and-run abandoned at an apartment complex less than two miles away at 111 N. Mesa Drive. A white plastic grocery bag was stuck to its grill.

Workers in the area of the hit-and- run said they were shocked by the incident and equally shocked by the story of looting.

“It’s not true. That’s what we were all talking about,” said America Medina, 23, of Phoenix, who works at Itzel’s Angel Nails at Main Street and Horne, just feet from the crash scene. “Some of the people chased after the truck.”

Hairstylist Rita Bueno of Chandler said she ran outside from Uni-Sex Barber and Beauty Shop after hearing the crash and saw no one looting.

“Nobody took nothing,” said Bueno, 44.

“After everything happened, he lasted 10 or 15 minutes and then he died,” Bueno said.

Despite accounts that no one stole from the dying man, police spokesman detective Steve Berry said officers still believe the groceries were taken after the crash scattered them across the parking lot.

“I think what’s happening is a little bit of a backlash. They don’t want to seem as an insensitive community,” Berry said. “I walked around there. I certainly didn’t see the gentleman’s groceries.”

Boro Mitrovich, who also was at the bus stop, told the Tribune his groceries also were stolen when he went to help the dying man.

“I think that’s pretty credible information,” Berry said, adding that police also got reports that some people chased the truck and helped the dying man.

By Wednesday night, police still did not know the victim’s identity. He had no photo identification and nothing showing his address, Berry said.