Suspects in attempted homicides in court

The two people arrested in connection to a pair of attempted homicides on Tuesday, crimes that left two Yuma men hospitalized in critical condition, appeared in court Thursday afternoon.

Jesse Alvarez-Robledo, 33, was informed by the judge during his initial appearance that Yuma Police are asking he be charged with two counts of attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated assault.

Also appearing in Yuma Justice Court for her initial appearance was Annette Gomez, 28, of Yuma, who is facing charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.

They both went before Justice of the Peace David Cooper, who set their bonds at $1.8 million each. Prosecutor James Coil, of the Yuma County Attorney's Office, had asked for the bonds to be set at $2 million each.

"There are two victims who are very seriously injured," Coil said during Alvarez-Robledo's hearing. "There were also steps taken to hide the crime and the vehicle used by a close associate of the suspect."

Coil told the court that one of the victims has injuries to his liver and spleen, while the other has a skull fracture and may lose his sight. Both are expected to survive their injuries he added.

Alvarez-Robledo and Gomez are both scheduled to be back in court on Monday, when they will learn if a complaint charging them with the crimes is filed against them.

Yuma police's investigation into the incident has revealed that a "gang-related disturbance" took place Tuesday between a group of people near the 400 block of West 15th Place.

At about 5:44 a.m. that morning, a Yuma Police Officer was flagged down by a citizen at 16th Street and 5th Avenue in reference to two injured men.

According to police, during the disturbance, Alvarez-Robledo, assaulted James Flores, 21, of Yuma. Alvarez-Robledo then got into a red 2004 Ford Explorer and intentionally ran over Santana Martinez, 18, of Yuma.

Investigators say that Alvarez-Robledo then fled the scene, leaving the two injured men behind.

"There was a verbal exchange between the two parties and it lead to a fight," said Officer Clint Norred, spokesman for the Yuma Police Department. "Flores was hit with a blunt instrument. Afterwards Alvarez-Robledo got into the Explorer and drove over the curb and struck Martinez. He then fled the scene."

Flores and Martinez were transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center with serious injuries and were later flown to Phoenix-area hospitals. Both are listed in critical condition, according to the Tuesday statement.

YPD investigators located the Ford Explorer in the 2000 block of South 10th Avenue Wednesday afternoon. The owner was identified as Gomez. She and Alvarez-Robledo were then located in the 8800 block of Avenida Del Prado. Both were arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center.

Alvarez-Robledo was booked on two counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Gomez was booked for hindering prosecution.

The case remains under investigation.

Investigators say they encourage the citizen in the tan passenger car who flagged down the initial officer on the scene to contact Detective Tejeda at (928) 373-4774.

The Yuma Police Department also encourages anybody with any information about this case to please contact Detective Tejeda, or call 78-Crime to remain anonymous.