Henderson man wanted in Arizona

Jace Radke

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 11:35 a.m.

A Henderson man wanted on a felony warrant has eluded Mohave County, Ariz., Sheriff's Department deputies in two car chases in two days.

Mario William Fragassi, 29, was first spotted on State Route 68 between Kingman and Bullhead City, Ariz., Wednesday afternoon, Mohave Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Johnson said.

He led deputies on a chase that ended near Bullhead City when Fragrassi and an unidentified man ditched their car and fled into the desert, leaving behind a shotgun and a handgun, Johnson said.

Deputy Sam Ruiz suffered minor injuries when another deputy's car rear-ended Ruiz's vehicle as Fragrassi escaped into the desert.

At about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday Fragrassi was again spotted, this time in a silver Nissan hatchback station wagon just west of Kingman on Old Highway 66.

The Nissan managed to escape pursuit after Fragrassi and another person in the car began dumping obstacles in the road.

The two threw various power tools, a bench grinder, floor jack, and a large toolbox onto the road, Johnson said. The Nissan was last spotted in the area of Shinarump and Colorado Roads near Kingman.

Fragrassi is white, 5-feet-9-inches tall, 180 pounds, with hazel eyes and short blonde hair. Fragrassi also has several tattoos including an obscene word across the fingers of his left hand, and he is considered armed and dangerous, Johnson said.

Johnson said Fragrassi will be charged with two counts of unlawful flight, and will likely face some weapon charges.

Anyone with information on Fragrassi's whereabouts should contact the Mohave County Sheriff's Department at (520) 753-0753. Mohave Silent Witness is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Fragrassi.