PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
A homicide suspect who has eluded law enforcement officers near Roosevelt Lake is in custody, Gila County officials said.
Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, 911 dispatch got a call from a couple of boaters who reported having a disturbing encounter.
"To be in that area swimming all day and be approached by a guy that just comes out of the middle of nowhere down to the water's edge and asks if they have any water, and actually gets into the water. Yes, they were scared," said Sgt. Keith Thompson with the Gila County Sheriff's Department.
Minutes later, Thompson and another officer spotted someone on shore hiding beneath a tree.
The area is very remote. Immediately they thought this could be their man - Gabriel Jaramillo.
"There in a cove on the north side of the lake. In order to get to that area there are no roads to be able to drive down to get to the water's edge," Thompson said.
The two deputies cautiously moved in and he quickly surrendered. He was not armed. Investigators said Jaramillo's time in wilderness had not treated him kindly.
"I don't think he lived real well. He appears to be suffering from the effects of being out there without food and adequate water," said Gila County Sheriff John Armer.
Investigators told CBS 5 Jaramillo was also hurt falling down a cliff. He remains in the hospital under watch of an armed guard.
Jaramillo led police on a high-speed chase Saturday night after he was spotted in the Globe-Miami area driving a truck owned by a man who went missing last week.
Eagar Police Spokesman Chief Hogan said 47-year-old Steve Long of Eagar was reported missing Aug. 21 after he didn't show up for work. Also missing from his home was his 2006 Toyota Tundra with Arizona plate 570WMM.
Gila County Sheriff's deputies said they spotted Jaramillo on Saturday night driving the missing truck in the area of Globe-Miami and attempted to stop him.
Jaramillo led law officials on a high-speed chase, exchanging gunfire with them on several occasions, according to authorities.
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting said Jaramillo dumped the vehicle on the northwest side of Lake Roosevelt and took off on foot. A multi-agency manhunt was begun using dog teams and helicopters to locate Jaramillo.
"The perimeter is actually a 10-mile radius they've had for their search," said Gila County Attorney Daisy Flores. "They've had to engage helicopters - multiple helicopters here - as well as DOC dogs."
Whiting confirmed that a body was discovered by a pair of mushroom hunters Friday evening near Big Lake in Apache County. No identity of the body is available until an autopsy is complete, Whiting said.
On Monday, Department of Corrections tracking teams located some tracks from the suspect heading in a northeasterly direction away from Roosevelt Lake and any populated areas of Tonto Basin.
Roosevelt Lake is about 100 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gabriel Jaramillo/Courtesy of Eagar police
Steve Long
Greg Argos, cbs5az.com
