Police say arrests made in murder of Ariz. couple

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Police said Tuesday that they have arrested five people in the shocking deaths of an Arizona couple found tied up and burned beyond recognition in their stylish stucco home in a posh Phoenix suburb.

The murders of Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro, well-to-do philanthropists in their 70s, were the first in nearly eight years in Paradise Valley, which is set among picture-perfect mountains popular with hikers and is home to some of the area's nicest resorts and lushest golf courses.

Police have released few details about the crime, including what they think the motive might have been. But a murder weapon and stolen property have been recovered, and one of the suspects — Michael Lee Crane — is facing two murder charges, police Chief John Bennett told reporters Tuesday.

Four other suspects face theft or trafficking in stolen property charges.

Officers went to the couple's sprawling home the morning of Jan. 30 after Phoenix police found their car on fire behind a strip mall about 20 miles away.

When an officer arrived at the house, she saw smoke coming from inside. Firefighters put out fires that had been set in two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, where the Shapiros' bodies were discovered. The couple had to be positively identified using dental records.

Police did not say what the murder weapon was, how they tracked down the suspects who were arrested, and refused to answer reporters' questions after holding a brief news conference. A judge agreed to seal court records in the case that would provide further details, and members of the local news media are contesting the decision.

Bennett said detectives didn't have reason to believe that the Shapiros were specifically targeted. Also, police think that all the major suspects are now in custody.

Crane, 31, was arrested on two counts each of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery, and one count each of burglary and arson, police said. It was unclear where he was from.

The other suspects were identified as Kelly Steward, 29, of Glendale; Shawn Nicloy, 29, of Phoenix; Brittnay Beinhauer, 27, of Tempe; and Danielle Rossman, 26, of Phoenix.