Arrest made in 40-minute Ariz. crime spree

PHOENIX, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Phoenix police have a man in custody they suspect was behind a 40-minute crime spree this weekend that included nine robberies in the Arizona city.

Police suspect that 22-year-old Anthony Espinoza may have committed nine robberies during the short time period this weekend in a desperate attempt to get funds for a drug purchase, the Arizona Republic said Sunday.

Police spokeswoman Detective Stacie Derge said available evidence indicated one person was likely behind Saturday's crime spree, an unusual occurrence for the area.

"It's very unusual," Derge said. "We've had a situation where we've had a few but not nine."

All of the victims in the robberies were either alone at the time of the incident or traveling in groups, police said.

The newspaper said the crime spree ended around the same time as a hit-and-run accident took place involving Espinoza's vehicle.

Three other suspects were arrested after the accident, but were later released by police.