Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate the apparent suicide of an unidentified white male on New Year’s Day in Fountain Hills.

The body of the man in his 30s was found Monday morning, Jan. 1, adjacent to the Fry’s parking lot along Shea Boulevard.

MCSO Capt. Hank Brandimarte said the man appeared to be a transient who had set up a camp under a small tree along the retaining wall below the Fry’s grocery store parking lot.

The man was not immediately identified and MCSO was asking for anyone who might have information regarding the man to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

*On Wednesday, Dec. 27, deputies received a report that a woman working as a cashier at the Fountain Hills Safeway store was activating gift cards without the knowledge of the customers she was checking out. The possible theft was reported when customers noticed errors in their sales receipts.

*On Tuesday, Jan. 2, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Rio Verde Drive near 172nd Street when a driver struck a cow crossing Rio Verde Drive. The driver was not injured and the cow was not immediately located.

*On Monday, Dec. 25, deputies received a report of a hit and run with the suspect riding a dirt bike in the area of 136th Street and Dove Valley Road.

*On Thursday, Dec. 28, a Fountain Hills man reported he had been assaulted by another male subject in connection with a road rage incident. The victim said he encountered the suspect while driving on Shea Boulevard from SR87. He said a white pick-up nearly struck his vehicle. The alleged assault occurred when the two stopped at a mini-mart on Saguaro Boulevard. The victim said the suspect argued with him and reached for what appeared to be a holster on his hip and threatened to “put a hole” in him. The suspect was described as an older white male.

*On Thursday, Dec. 28, a Fountain Hills man was arrested after he struck an MCSO patrol vehicle and fled. A deputy had stopped on Palisades Boulevard near Eagle Ridge Drive to assist another motorist when another vehicle screeched up to the scene and struck the patrol vehicle. The deputy was able to follow the vehicle to Sunridge Drive and Rhoads Court. The suspect driver was cited for unlawful (felony) flight and is being investigated for possible DUI.

*On Thursday, Dec. 28, a resident reported criminal damage when someone slashed tires on his vehicle while it was parked in a retail parking lot on Palisades Boulevard.

*On Friday, Dec. 29, a resident of the 14000 block of Sussex Place reported someone had keyed two of his vehicles parked at his residence causing about $2,500 in damage.

*On Saturday, Dec. 30, deputies located a pick-up reported stolen in Chandler parked at a Fountain Hills convenience store at Saguaro and Shea boulevards. The vehicle was processed for evidence and impounded as the owner was not immediately available to retrieve it.

*On Friday, Dec. 29, a Glendale woman was arrested for scratching decorative painting on the windows of businesses at a shopping center.

*On Saturday, Dec. 30, a Fountain Hills woman reported someone had stolen her 2011 Honda CRV from its parking place on Kings Way.

*On Saturday, Dec. 30, a Fountain Hills man reported someone had stolen prescription medications and an electric razor from his residence in the 15000 block of Echo Hill Drive.

*On Sunday, Dec. 31, deputies responded to a complaint of someone setting off fireworks in the area of Yerba Buena and Alamosa. Deputies found fireworks both used and unused but found no one in the area. A nearby bush had caught fire possibly as a result of the fireworks and deputies were able to extinguish it. The unused fireworks were confiscated and taken to the Sheriff’s District 1 in Mesa for destruction.

*On Wednesday, Jan. 3, a Mesa man who operates a business in Fountain Hills reported a former client came into his business and threatened to “knock his teeth out.” The suspect left the scene without incident.

*On Tuesday, Jan. 2, a Fountain Hills man reported someone broke into his vehicle parked in the 11000 block of Saguaro Boulevard and removed a purse, documents and cash (change). The total value is estimated at $120.