Highlights
- Brandon Ribadeneira, 20, was arrested this week on one felony count of criminal damage in Phoenix.
- Damage to the City of Phoenix Photo Safety Camera near Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Drive is estimated at $47,000.
- Ribadeneira allegedly pushed the camera over, hit it with a rock, then returned and tried to drag it with his truck before the strap broke.
- Police identified him through footage the camera recorded before and during the incident, then served a search warrant at his home.
A 20-year-old Phoenix man is in custody after police say he toppled a city speed camera, beat it with a rock, and then tried to haul it down the street with his truck, all captured on the camera's own recording.
Brandon Ribadeneira was arrested this week on one felony count of criminal damage, according to Arizona's Family, which first reported the arrest. ABC15 and 12News independently confirmed the arrest.
Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, police say Ribadeneira was driving faster than the posted speed limit, triggering a City of Phoenix Photo Safety Camera near Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Drive. He then stopped, got out of his car, and pushed the camera over. Investigators say he hit the equipment with a rock several times before driving away.
He came back. Police say Ribadeneira returned a short time later, strapped the damaged camera to his truck, and attempted to drag it down the street. The strap broke, and he drove off again. City crews recovered the unit.
Damage is estimated at $47,000. Police served a search warrant at Ribadeneira's home Tuesday and took him into custody.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 26/08/2026 20:52
- ABC15 Arizona retrieved 26/08/2026 20:52
- 12News retrieved 26/08/2026 20:52
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 26/08/2026 20:52. Every claim traces to a source.
