By Chris Caraveo
By
Chris Caraveo
Independent Newsmedia
A man arrested in the killing of a Peoria store owner last week stole the woman’s vehicle because he liked and wanted to drive it, according to court documents.
On April 12, a man since identified as 18-year-old Jourdyn Ford entered Park Clothing Center, 8110 W. Peoria Ave., and stole about $400 worth of clothes before allegedly shooting store owner Christina Park and fleeing in her 2017 Mercedes SUV.
Jourdyn Ford (MCSO)
Two people who entered the store after the shooting found Park about 10 minutes after walking around the store. Officers arrived and carried Park outside for medical attention.
According to a probable cause statement, Peoria Fire-Medical Department personnel located two gunshot wounds on Park. They transported her to Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear where officials pronounced Park deceased.
Officers located two .380 mm shell casings on the floor near the front counters of the store, according to the statement.
Using the vehicle’s GPS, officers tracked the Mercedes to an apartment complex at 2428 W. Turney Lane in Phoenix, where it was abandoned and damaged. Detectives saw clothing with hangers and tags on them and a Cabela’s cap in the back seat. Police had listed the cap as one of the items the suspect was wearing in surveillance video of the robbery.
Detectives obtained Ford’s cell phone number through previous encounters with Peoria police. They contacted and pinged the phone, directing them to an apartment complex near the area of 4300 W. Indian School Road.
On April 13, at about 1 p.m., Phoenix and Peoria detectives monitored the area, locating a person matching Ford’s description. After a brief chase on foot, a K9 unit apprehended Ford.
In a post-Miranda interview, Ford admitted to the robbery and shooting. According to the probable cause statement, Ford stated he pointed the handgun at Park and became scared when he gripped the gun tightly and pulled the trigger, shooting Park in the chest. When she started screaming Ford fired a second shot which struck her in the right eye.
Ford told police he stole the vehicle to drive it around for a while because he liked it, according to the statement.
According to a release questionnaire, Ford made statements he stole the vehicle to flee the state.
He faces one count each of first degree murder, armed robbery and theft-means of transportation.
In March Ford pleaded guilty to reduced charges for shoplifting and child/adult abuse committed in February, according to the Maricopa County Superior Court website.
Ford’s next two court dates are April 20 and April 24. There is no bond available for his release.
