Representative Frank Pratt Assault Case: Person of Interest Arrested in Phoenix

A person of interest has been arrested in the Christmas Day assault of State Representative Frank Pratt in Casa Grande. The possible assailant hasn't been charged in the Pratt assault -- yet -- but was arrested in Phoenix on an unrelated warrant earlier today and police in Casa Grande think...

By James King

January 4, 2011

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A person of interest has been arrested in the Christmas Day assault of State Representative Frank Pratt in Casa Grande. The possible assailant hasn't been charged in the Pratt assault -- yet -- but was arrested in Phoenix on an unrelated warrant earlier today and police in Casa Grande think they've got their man.

Hilyard Scott, 34, was arrested this morning near 21st Avenue and Van Buren on unrelated outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and robbery.

The Phoenix Police Department put out an email saying they had no knowledge of Scott being involved in the assault on Representative Pratt, but Deputy Chief Don Daniel with the Casa Grande Police Department tells New Times he considers Scott a person of interest.

Daniel says authorities probably won't have enough evidence to charge Scott in the assault on Pratt until DNA and fingerprint evidence is analyzed. He says, however, other factors suggest Scott is responsible for assaulting the representative.

The assault for which Scott was arrested occurred two days prior to the assault on Pratt. The attacks, Daniel says, were similar in nature and happened in a "geographically similar" area.

The assault on Pratt occurred at his business, Pratt Pools, in the 100 block of West Cottonwood Lane in Casa Grande. His attacker beat him until he was unconscious, and then stole his 2007 GMC Yukon and Rolex watch before leaving the scene.

Daniel says he will give us an update as soon as there are any further developments. Check back to Valley Fever throughout the day for updates.

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