Bruce Burger (Coutesy: YCSO)
PRESCOTT (NAZ Today)– On October 31, 2009, at approximately 11 A.M., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported family fight in the 2800 block of Dana Street, Humboldt. Prior to reaching the location, deputies were contacted by the girlfriend of the disturbing party who warned deputies that her boyfriend, 46-year-old Bruce Burger, was extremely distraught and armed with a rifle inside the home. Burger claimed he had been “wronged” by several people and threatened to “take them out.”
Deputies brought Burger’s girlfriend to a safe area and set surveillance on the Dana Street home. While gathering further information, a deputy saw Burger exit the home, place an object in a truck and drive away. The deputy followed Burger who drove north and entered east Highway 169 from Foothill Drive. Deputies lost sight of Burger as he exited from the 169 onto Old Cherry Road in an apparent attempt to return to his previous neighborhood. A short time later, deputies located Burger driving his truck and attempted to stop him by activating their overhead lights. Burger refused and sped away into an area of heavy brush. Deputies were forced to check the area on foot and did not immediately locate Burger. Deputies determined that Burger had returned to Old Cherry Road and had driven away. Assisting deputies briefly pursued Burger again, but due to the rough terrain, were unable to close the distance.
Neighbors in the area contacted deputies after discovering that Burger had intentionally rammed his truck into a water tank and attached control panel. Neighbors told deputies of prior threats by Burger when he lived in the area. Another witness told deputies he had just seen Burger point his rifle towards deputies searching the area. The YCSO Swat team was alerted at this time.
Because of the expansive search area, a DPS Ranger helicopter was called to assist along with ground units from DPS and US Forest Service Law Enforcement. The Ranger helicopter crew eventually located Burger’s truck as he drove, and occasionally stopped, along Old Cherry Road. With these ongoing directions from above, deputies eventually located Burger on Cherry Creek Road around 2 PM where he surrendered. A rifle was recovered from Burger’s truck and he was also found with several rounds of ammo on his person, and extra ammo in the truck.
Burger was charged with Disorderly Conduct per Domestic Violence, Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers, Flee Pursing Law Enforcement, Threatening and Criminal Damage.
He remains in custody with a next court date of November 10, 2009.
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