Man accused of damaging photo safety camera with rock, trying to drag it with truck

PHOENIX (AZFamily/Gray News) — A man was jailed after he was allegedly caught damaging a photo safety camera in Phoenix last week, with damages estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Brandon Ribadeneira, 20, was arrested this week on one felony count of criminal damage.

Around 10 a.m. on Aug. 18, police said Ribadeneira was driving faster than the posted speed limit, which activated a city of Phoenix photo safety camera in a school zone Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Drive.

According to investigators, Ribadeneira then stopped, got out of his car and pushed the camera over. He reportedly hit the equipment with a rock several times before driving away.

Police said Ribadeneira came back a short time later, strapped the damaged camera to his truck and tried to drag it down the street, but the strap broke and he drove away again.

City crews recovered the camera, which recorded the incidents.

After identifying Ribadeneira as a suspect, police served a search warrant at his home on Tuesday and took him into custody.

Damage to the camera is estimated at $47,000.