Douglas Dispatch

Marco Antonio Berry

Douglas man was arrested last week for his alleged involvement in an auto accident that occurred in the early morning hours on Sept. 13.

According to Sgt. Jose Duarte of the Douglas Police Department, Douglas Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Seventh Street and Pan American Highway, in reference to a single vehicle accident shortly after 1 a.m. Sept. 13.

Upon arrival the DPD officers were informed that the vehicle, described as a gray in color Mitsubishi Montero, had possibly struck the curb/sidewalk area and then struck a fence.

A search of the area resulted in them finding the abandoned vehicle on H Avenue, south of Seventh Street.

The DPD impounded the vehicle while continuing their investigation.

Sgt. Duarte said the vehicle was registered to a person who lives near the area, but no one had reported the car missing or stolen.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., that same morning, Douglas Police Officers were dispatched to 11th Street and Pan American Highway, in reference to another possible hit and run accident.

Sgt. Duarte said his officers were informed that a vehicle possibly struck an apartment, located at the Southeast corner of 11th and Pan American Highway.

Douglas Police Officers checked the area and found tire markings on the sidewalk but no vehicle. They also checked the apartment and found that it was unoccupied.

“The structure was taped off as a precaution and City of Douglas Code Enforcement Officers were called to secure the area,” Duarte said.

Some vehicle parts were also found at the scene. Further investigation indicated parts of the vehicle found on 11th and Pan American matched those from the same vehicle accident on H Avenue.

On Sept. 19 while continuing their investigation, DPD officers were able to identify the driver of the vehicle that had struck a building at 11th Street and Pan American Highway as well as the a residential fence at the 600 block of H Avenue.

The driver, Sgt. Duarte said, was identified as Mr. Marco Antonio Berry, 41, of Douglas.

“During the investigation and interview of Mr. Berry, he provided false information to the investigator and he was later transported to the Cochise County Jail for the following charges: leaving the scene of an accident (11th Street and Pan American Highway); leaving the scene of an accident (600 block of H Avenue) and providing false information to police officers,” Sgt. Duarte said.

Berry has since been released on bail.