Three are arrested – including a 16-year-old – following SWAT standoff after Good Samaritan was lured to his death by stranger who rang the doorbell asking for help with his car
People have arrested three suspects in connection with murder after a good Samaritan was lured to his death by a stranger who claimed to have car trouble.
Paul Clifford, 53, was found dead next to a burning car on Christmas Eve, just hours after a man rang the doorbell at his family’s home in southern Arizona and asked for help with his car.
Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, and 16-year-old Wendy Scott were taken into custody Monday evening after a SWAT standoff. KVOA TV reported.
All three suspects were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Clifford’s death, as well as a slew of other charges, including armed robbery and arson of an occupied building.
Upchurch and Smith are each being held on $1 million bond, while Scott’s bond was set at $500,000.
Sabrina Vining, one of Clifford’s two daughters, has been very vocal about the case on social media. She issued a statement Tuesday evening praising the efforts of police.
‘We are devastated by what has happened but are very grateful that they have taken these vile people into custody and intend to do everything in our power to ensure they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law law,” she said in a statement. KOLD TV.
She also posted on Facebook thanking law enforcement for “working diligently” on Clifford’s case.
Paul Clifford, 53, was leaving his home in Benson, Arizona, on the evening of December 23, when a man showed up at Clifford’s house claiming his car had broken down. He was found dead the next day along a deserted stretch of road northeast of Tucson
Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, (left) Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, (center) and 16-year-old Wendy Scott (right) were taken into custody Monday evening after a SWAT standoff. All three have been charged with first-degree murder, as well as a slew of other charges, including armed robbery and arson of an occupied building.
Police found Clifford’s body along a deserted stretch of road northeast of Tucson, next to a smoldering car. The remote location was so difficult to access that officers called it ‘almost impossible’ to reach without specialist vehicles
A man approached Clifford’s home in Benson, about 45 miles outside Tucson, late Dec. 23, claiming his car had broken down.
Clifford, whose family says he was generous by nature, took his daughter’s truck and left with the stranger to help at 11:30 p.m. When he didn’t return home after several hours, his concerned family called 911.
Pima County sheriff’s deputies responded around 1 a.m. on December 24 to reports of suspicious activity, possibly related to a car theft investigation.
They found Clifford’s body along a deserted stretch of road northeast of Tucson, next to a smoldering car. The victim’s car was missing from the scene of the accident.
The remote location was so difficult to access that officers called it ‘almost impossible’ to reach without specialist vehicles.
Paul Clifford, 53, is said to be a loyal family man. He is pictured with his wife and two daughters, Sabrina and Samantha
Paul Clifford is depicted in a photo from his younger years
Paul is seen alongside his wife Christine, daughters Sabrina and Samanatha and his young grandson
Sabrina Vining, one of Clifford’s two daughters, has been very vocal about the investigation on social media. She posted on Facebook Tuesday evening to thank police for “working diligently” on Clifford’s case
‘It’s very far, very remote and to get there you need a specific vehicle. I think you can get there with a two-wheeled vehicle, but it will be very slow,” said Deputy Adam Schoonover of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Police found Clifford’s truck abandoned later that day at a Tucson apartment complex between Prince Road and Roger Road.
Investigators received information that the suspects may be in south Tuscon, near the area of Benson Highway and Country Club.
Detectives obtained a search warrant and the regional SWAT team served it at the location on Monday, December 30.
The suspects barricaded themselves inside the home, resulting in a standoff, and eventually called 911 to negotiate a surrender. Police say they were arrested without incident.
Police have not released any details about a possible motive for Clifford’s murder.
True to his generous nature, Clifford took a truck from his daughter and left around 11:30 PM on December 23 – but as the hours passed without a word from him, his family became increasingly concerned.
Paul Clifford is pictured with his wife Christina Clifford
Vining, who informed the public about the case, described her father as a “gentle giant” with a heart full of compassion.
‘We are devastated. He was the kind of man who would do anything for anyone, and this is how he was rewarded,” she wrote on a television page GoFundMe page to support her grieving family.
‘I am at a loss for my mother and am doing everything I can to support her through this unimaginable pain.
‘I do my best to help my mother with everything I can. Any help is appreciated and not expected. People have reached out and I want to make sure my mom is taken care of because that’s what my dad would have wanted,” Vining added.
Nearly $25,000 has been raised to support the family during this difficult time.