Ex-MCSO deputy arrested in Phoenix robberies

A former Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday after police identified him as the suspect in a series of armed robberies that spanned the Valley on Sunday, according to court records.

Scott Michael Walters, 38, was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, drug possession and the sale of drugs. He was fired from the Sheriff's Office in April for multiple policy violations, according to agency officials.

Phoenix police say Walters robbed two convenience stores and attempted to rob a bank between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The first robbery was at a Circle K on 16th Street and Bell Road, then at a Circle K near Cave Creek and Beardsley roads, according to a police report.

In both instances, police say Walters approached the checkout counter and asked for two cartons of Marlboro cigarettes before pulling out a revolver, pointing it at the clerk and demanding all the money in the cash register, records show. Records show he also made the clerk lift the register's till to make sure no extra money was inside.

Walters made off with a total of $93 from the two robberies before trying to rob a MidFirst bank at 7th Street and Bell Road, according to police records.

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Police said Walters told a bank teller he needed to make a deposit, then placed a note on the counter. The teller told police she could make out the words "I," "give" and "your money." She said she realized she was being robbed, so she told Walters she needed to go to the back of the bank to retrieve the money and, instead, called the police.

The teller waited at the back of the bank for police to arrive, and Walters waited for a few minutes before leaving the bank, police said.

Phoenix police spokesman James Holmes said Walters is linked to four other robberies or attempted robberies in Peoria, Tempe and Scottsdale that occurred within hours of the other three.

Detectives used fingerprints, DNA samples and footage from security cameras to identify Walters as a suspect. Current sheriff's deputies also called investigators to confirm Walters' identity once his picture was made public.

Police say they used a warrant to search Walters house and found the boots and glasses believed to have been used in the robberies, as well as drugs, drug paraphernalia and a ledger documenting drug sales. Records show Walters admitted knowing the drugs were in his home and told police he is a heroin addict. He denied any involvement in the robberies.

Deputy Chief Pat Lopez of the Sheriff's Office said Walters became a deputy in 2004 and was fired in April after months of administrative leave, and multiple internal policy violations and suspensions.

Lopez said Walters' performance started to decline after a 2010 incident in which Walters shot and killed a suspect who fired a gun at him and a 16-year-old boy. Previously, Walters' performance had been "very good."

Walters acted correctly in the situation, Lopez said, and county staff referred him to counselors after it occurred, as is protocol.

"Our people did everything they could to rehabilitate him," he said.

Lopez declined to comment about whether Walters was using drugs while he was a deputy. Internal affairs investigations into Walters about possibly criminal activities remain open at the Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he is just happy that no one was injured, and that his staff did everything they could to try and help Walters.

"You can't read the minds of law enforcement," Arpaio said.

Walters was being held in jail Thursday on a $120,000 bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 4.