Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney | Maricopa County Attorney'S Office
Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney | Maricopa County Attorney'S Office
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced the indictment of Zakary Preece for stalking and attempting to kidnap his former girlfriend. This follows an alert from a Utah Police Department to the Glendale Police Department on October 25, 2024, indicating that Preece had removed his ankle monitor and was headed to Arizona in search of his ex-girlfriend. At the time, Preece was awaiting trial in Utah for multiple domestic violence charges.
Preece was later seen near the victim's residence in Glendale. When officers attempted to arrest him, he tried to take his own life by inflicting a gunshot wound but survived and was taken into custody. A search of his vehicle revealed a firearm, tracking devices, and items related to stalking activities.
Further investigation led authorities to a rental property in Glendale associated with Preece. There, police found additional weapons, restraints, and surveillance equipment.
The charges against Preece include one count of attempt to commit kidnapping (a class three felony), one count of stalking (a class three felony), one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm (a class six felony), and one count of interfering with judicial proceedings (a class one misdemeanor).
Preece will remain detained until his trial. It is important to note that "a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."