PHOENIX – A man wanted for crimes against children apparently took his own life after police stopped him on an East Valley highway Tuesday, authorities said.

Justin Meritt, 42, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on US 60 in Apache Junction, according to the Mesa Police Department.

The death investigation disrupted US 60 traffic for several hours, with closures in both directions near Silly Mountain Road at times.

Meritt became a suspect after police investigated an incident in east Mesa on Monday afternoon and developed probable cause to arrest him for crimes against children.

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US 60 reopens in far East Valley after police investigate death

The next day, Mesa detectives spotted the suspec

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