Thursday, March 30, 2017

Do you recognize who this is?



MESA COUNTY, Colo -  The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a person suspected of making hundreds of dollars of unauthorized purchases on a debit card. 

The debit card was used by an unknown male from February 25th to March 1st at 9 different locations across the Grand Valley including at the Walgreens on 1st and Patterson, Sonic Drive In, Horizon Drive Shell Gas Station, and the Rimrock Walmart.

The male suspect is believed to be driving a 90s style green Ford Ranger.  

If you know the identity or whereabouts of this person, please contact the Mesa County Sheriff's Office at (970) 242-6707 or call Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous. 

Case #17-9124

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Four arrested after SWAT incident Monday night

Kevin Anderson, 29
MCSO Photo
Savannah Wright, 28
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo - Four people were arrested after a two hour standoff with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office Monday night.

Deputies with the Sheriff's Office Street Crimes unit obtained information regarding the location of a subject wanted on outstanding warrants.

After extensive surveillance the subject, Kevin Anderson, 29, was confirmed to be inside the residence on the 500 block of Highway 50.

When deputies approached, the occupants refused to exit the residence and barricaded the window and doors.

The Grand Junction Police Department and Sheriff's Office SWAT teams responded and deployed chemical munitions (like tear gas). The four occupants were removed from the residence and arrested.

Shuana Smith, 29
MCSO Photo

Daniel Sasser, 49
MCSO Photo
Kevin Anderson, Savannah Wright, 28, Shauna Smith, 29, and Daniel Sasser, 49, were arrested on drug related charges. Numerous guns and drugs were found inside the residence after a search warrant was executed. Kevin, Savannah and Daniel also had outstanding warrants.

All four are facing charges of Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Possession of a weapon by a Previous Offender (Class 6 Felony), and Possession of a weapon while distributing or manufacturing a controlled substance (Class 1 Drug Felony) 18-18-407.

They are currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

UPDATE: Central HS lockdown connected to incidents across the country

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Mesa County Sheriff's Office is now investigating whether the false threat made about Central High School yesterday morning is connected to other similar incidents across the country.

Investigators believe yesterday's incident is linked to a threat made against a Kansas City, Missouri high school Monday. Students at Oak Park High School were evacuated after an anonymous threat. The school was searched and nothing was found.

Mesa County Sheriff's investigators believe the false threats made to Central HS and Oak Park HS where made by the same person.

Investigators are now looking at similar incidents that occurred yesterday in Riverside, CA  and today in Atlanta, GA for a possible connection and clues to the callers identity.

Mesa County Sheriff's Office is also investigating further into an anonymous phone call made Monday night into the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center warning of a potential threat to Central High School Tuesday. Deputies immediately followed up on the information and investigated it through the night. The threat was not substantiated.  Despite that, extra deputies were stationed at the school Tuesday morning as a precaution. School started as normal. At 9:54 am another call came in threatening the school. While it is still early in the investigation, it appears the calls are connected.

Making a false report is a serious crime. We are working with other law enforcement agencies across the county to determine this person's identity.

For more information about yesterday's incident click here.


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Central High School Lockdown update

MESA COUNTY, Colo -  This morning, at 9:54, a call came into the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center from a male subject threatening the lives of students and staff at Central High School. The caller claimed to be hiding in the school with weapons. The threat was determined to be unsubstantiated after a thorough search of the school campus, and no such person or weapons of any kind were found. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Grand Junction Police Department, and the FBI determined that the threat is not real. We are confident there is not a credible threat to any of our local schools today or in the near future.

While the investigation is in the early stages and still very active, there are indications that this call did not originate locally. The investigation into the caller’s identity is ongoing.

Law enforcement from around the county, including the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, the Grand Junction Police Department, and the Colorado State Patrol, immediately responded to the school. The campus was put on lockdown.

Law enforcement entered the school and began the process of methodically checking the school for any potential threat, and none was found.

Deputies and officers then went classroom by classroom and safely evacuated all 1,400 students and staff to Palisade High School to be reunited with parents through the School District’s reunification process.

Once the school was completely evacuated, the Grand Junction Police Department Bomb Squad swept Central High School for any suspicious items. None were found.

Rumors that a suspect was seen by students inside the school with a device, and that a suspect was barricaded in a classroom, are not accurate. Any threat to student safety is taken very seriously and will be thoroughly investigated. However, we caution people against believing everything they read on social media. Please look to your trusted media outlets, or law enforcement agency, for the latest correct information during a developing situation.

In response to questions about why we evacuated the school despite the fact the threats to student safety were not substantiated: student and staff safety is always the top priority. Threats are taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated. Although this process is lengthy and labor intensive, we cannot take any chances where threats to the safety of our schools is concerned.

We want to thank parents for their patience and cooperation during today’s events. We know how stressful being separated from your loved ones during the unknown can be.

If your child has a car at Central High School, the campus is now open, and they can come pick it up at this time. They cannot, however, go inside to the school to retrieve belongings including car keys until tomorrow.


We will share additional information about this investigation as it becomes available.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Grand Junction man arrested on sex crimes charges

Ronald Love, 25
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo -  Ronald Lee Love, 25, of Grand Junction was taken into custody today after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Love is facing charges of 3 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), and 4 counts of Promotion of Obscenity to a Minor (Class 6 Felony).

The charges stem from a sexting relationship with a minor that allegedly occurred between August of 2016 and November of 2016.

He is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold. For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Click it or Ticket starts Today!

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is stepping up seat belt enforcement next week as part of a nationwide campaign to save lives.

Beginning Monday, extra deputies will be patrolling the streets looking for people not wearing their seat belts. If you are caught not buckled up you will get a ticket! The minimum fine is $65 per violation.

In 2014, 156 people who weren’t wearing a seat belt died in traffic crashes in Colorado. If everyone had buckled up, nearly half of those people would be alive today.

Right now Colorado is behind the national average of the number of people who wear seat belts. Across the country 90.1% of Americans buckle up, but only 85.2% of Coloradans wear their seat belt!!! Even less, 77.6%, buckle up when riding in a truck!! We can do better!!

Not only is buckling up the law, it saves lives. Having an unbuckled passenger increases your risk of being hurt or killed by 40%. Do you want to take that chance? 

Click It or Ticket is a nationwide campaign from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Since Click It or Ticket started in Colorado in 2002 seat belt use in Colorado has increased from 72% to 85.2%.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week

FRUITA, Colo - This week the Fruita Police Department needs your help to identify and locate the suspects involved in a case of arson at Snook’s Bottom located at 1051 King’s View Road. 

Sometime around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 16th, unknown suspects started a fire inside an old hollowed out tree. 

The fire flared up around 4:00 p.m. and spread from the lake to the south bank of the Colorado River. 

If you know the identity or whereabouts of the subjects involved in this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous. For more information, see us at www.241stop.com. 

Fruita PD# 2017-1635

Monday, March 20, 2017

Road rage incident leads to one arrest

Rodney Ball, 37
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo - A road rage incident Sunday night has lead to one arrest.

At approximately 8:50 Sunday night, Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies were called to a disturbance in the area of TZ Trail and B Road by occupants of a car who said they were being chased and possibly shot at by men on motorcycles.

They reported to deputies the incident escalated while stopped at the intersection of TZ Trail and B Road. People on the bikes started hitting the vehicle with chains, shattering a window.  When they fled southbound on TZ Trail, they heard what was described as possible gun shots. 

Investigators believe the incident began when the motorcycle riders perceived the reporting party's car cut them off. 

After conducting multiple interviews with the parties involved, Rodney Ball, 37, of Austin, Colorado was arrested and taken into custody. 

Ball faces two counts of Criminal Attempt of Assault in the First Degree (Class 4 Felony), two counts Menacing (Class 5 felony), and one count of Criminal Attempt of Illegal Discharge of a Firearm (Class 6 Felony).  This incident also fits the definition of “Crime of Violence” and is subject to a sentence enhancement. 

Ball is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.



Friday, March 17, 2017

Help identify these burglary suspects


CLIFTON, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects believed involved in a burglary in January.

The coin exchange machine was ripped out of the laundry room at the RV Ranch in Clifton at approximately 6:30 a.m. on January 21, 2017.

Surveillance video showed an unknown male about 5'8, 160 pounds, wearing black Adidas shoes, gray pants, a black hoodie with gray and purple symbols, with the hood on, and a black Steelers baseball style hat with a flat brim. The male looked to be white or Hispanic, had a goatee with a light beard , and was wearing black gloves.

A second male was also seen on surveillance video wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

The suspects are believed to have left in a white Honda Civic in an unknown direction.

If you have any information about this crime, know the identity or whereabouts of the subject involved in this crime, please contact law enforcement at (970) 242-6707. Or you can call Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous.

#17-2188

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - This week Crime Stoppers is requesting information that will lead to the identification of the suspects involved in a burglary. 

Sometime between 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24th and 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2016, unknown suspects forced entry into Atlas Automotive located 1917 N. 1st Street. 

Once inside, the suspects caused over $1,000 in damage and stole items valued over $5,400. 

If you know the identity or whereabouts of the subject involved in this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous. For more information, visit www.241stop.com.

 GJPD# 2016-50828

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Fellow Officers to ride in Deputy Geer's honor


MESA COUNTY, Colo - During Police Week in May, thousands of officers will participate in the Police Unity Tour to honor the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2016.

The 260 mile bicycle ride begins in Virginia and ends in Washington, D.C.  Participants ride to raise awareness and to ensure each family that their officer will never be forgotten.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office has been contacted by riders who will be specifically riding for Deputy Derek Geer. These men and woman never met him, but will be wearing memorial armbands honoring Deputy Geer during the three-day ride.  So far, we've been contacted by a Detective in Louisiana and a woman in Georgia whose husband was killed in the line of duty. Both will be riding in Deputy Geer's honor.

On the final day of the ride, the participants finish at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and greet the families whose officer they are riding for. They will then present them with their honor band as a testament that their officer will never be forgotten.
Several teams are participating across the country this year. Each is raising money to help support National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial.

Team Buddy Christian from Georgia is raising funds buy selling Memorial T-shirts. On the back is listed every officer's name killed in the line of duty including Deputy Derek Geer. If you are interested in a shirt, click here.  The proceeds from this Memorial Shirt will benefit the Police Unity Tour and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Members of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office will be traveling to Washington D.C. in May to accompany Deputy Geer's Family during Police Week in which his name will be added to the national memorial. 

Friday, March 10, 2017

Felony Summons issued for local teacher

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation into an allegation of child abuse at a local school.

A Felony Summons was issued today for 58-year-old Kent Clinkingbeard of Whitewater for one count of Assault in the Third Degree of an At-risk Person (Class 6 Felony), Child Abuse, Second Degree Criminal Tampering, and Harassment.

These charges stem from an incident that occurred at Redlands Middle School on or about January 25, 2017.

The Felony Summons orders Clinkingbeard to appear before the court in April.

Check the weather before you burn!!

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Open Burn Season doesn't mean open season on irresponsible burning.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office wants to remind everyone to take the necessary precautions before burning. Just yesterday there were two brush fires started in the Grand Valley because of out-of-control burning.

Residents who wish to burn weeds, garden debris or other yard waste as part of their spring cleanup efforts will need to purchase a permit from the Mesa County Health Department. Agricultural burning also requires a permit.

Once you obtain a permit, it is your responsibility to check weather conditions before you being burning. Dry, windy weather conditions can take a controlled burn and turn it into an out-of-control brush fire very quickly.

Before you burn
  • Plan where you are going to be burning. Make sure you maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from any structure including fences during the entire burn. 
  • Got Water? Have a water source on site that is readily accessible to keep the fire perimeter cooled down and prevent uncontrolled fire from spreading 
  • Don't work alone! Make sure you have enough help to contain the perimeter of the burn. 
  • Start Early! Morning hours tend to be the best time of the day to burn. Temperatures are cooler, winds tend to be light and humidity levels are higher. 
  • Avoid the Afternoon! Temperatures are rising, humidity levels are decreasing and generally winds increase as the atmosphere heats up causing increased fire behavior. 
After you burn
  • Is it out? Make sure you have inspected the perimeter of your burned area. If there is any embers or heat left it can rekindle vegetation and start a brush fire.
  • Check again! It never huts to check on your burned area throughout the day.
If your burn gets out-of-control, you can be held Criminally and Civilly responsible for burning another person's property.

For more information about Open Burn Season click here.

Statement from Acting Sheriff Rusty Callow addressing immigrant concerns about seeking law enforcement assistance.

“I have been hearing concerns from members of Mesa County’s immigrant community on the subject of immigration enforcement. While the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office does cooperate with the federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency on criminal matters, the Sheriff’s Office does not actively seek out individuals based solely on their immigration status for the purpose of deportation. That is not our role in the criminal justice system.

I do not want members of our community to be afraid of reaching out to police or other emergency services because of their immigration status. I want to reassure everyone in Mesa County that if they find themselves in a situation where they need help, they should not be afraid to call 911. Our policy has not changed, deputies will not investigate, or detain people based solely on their citizenship.

Our policy, like many other law enforcement agencies across the country, is not based on politics or personal agendas. It is based on public safety. Our goal is that everyone in our community feel safe in reporting emergencies and working with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.”

-Rusty Callow
Acting Sheriff

For more information about the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office policy in regards to ICE please click here.  #CommunityStrong #SaferMesaCounty


Spanish Translation

He escuchando las preocupaciones de nuestra comunidad de inmigrantes en el Condado de Mesa sobre el tema de la aplicación de las leyes migratorias.

Mientras que la Oficina del Sheriff’s del Condado de Mesa coopera con la Agencia Federal de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas, nuestro trabajo es enfocarnos en combatir la delincuencia a nivel local, la oficina del sheriff no busca arrestar individuos basado solamente en su estado migratorio con el propósito de deportar. Ese no es nuestro papel en el sistema de justicia penal.

No quiero que los miembros de nuestra comunidad tengan miedo de llemar a la policía o de usar otros servicios de emergencia debido a su estado migratorio.

Si se encuentran en una situación donde necesiten ayuda, nadie debe de tener miedo de llamar al 911. Nuestra política no ha cambiado, los diputados no investigarán, o detentran a personas basadas únicamente por su ciudadanía.

Nuestra política, como muchas otras agencias policiales en todo el país, no se basa en políticas o agendas personales. Se basa en la seguridad pública. Nuestro objetivo es que todos en nuestra comunidad se sientan seguros y reporten emergencias a la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Mesa.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

#UPDATE Child was found safe, mother facing charges

Jaxxon Morris
Found Safe
#UPDATE: 10-month-old Jaxxon Morris was found safe. His mother Misty Nichols was taken into custody after returning back to the residence where she took the child from.

Nichols is being taken to the Mesa County Detention Facility.  She is now facing the charge of Violation of custody order or order relating to parental responsibilities, a Class 5 Felony.


------------------
5:13 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017
CLIFTON, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating Misty Nichols, 42, who is believed to have kidnapped her 10-month-old child.

Misty Nichols, 42
MCSO Photo from 10-20-16
Today at approximately 3:50 p.m., Nichols took the child from protective custody from the 200 block of the 3rd St in Clifton.

She is believed to have taken off on foot in an unknown direction.

The 10-month-old is identified as Jaxxon Morris, he was last seen wearing a shirt and diaper and no pants or shoes.

Nichols is as white female, 140 lbs, 5'5", with brown over blue-colored hair, it might possibly be blonde now. She was last seen wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

If you see her or have any information about her or Jaxxon's whereabouts call 911 immediately.




Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week



GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - Do you know who this person is?

The Grand Junction Police Department needs your help to identify and locate a theft suspect.

About 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Self-Checkout register in Walmart, located at 2881 North Avenue, an unidentified female subject took the victim’s Victoria’s Secret brand gray wallet with “PINK” printed on both sides. The stolen wallet contained cash and the victim’s personal identification and VISA credit card.

Security cameras captured a White or Hispanic female, in her 30’s, with shoulder length dark hair, wearing a gray Nike t-shirt and black Capri stretch pants.

If you know the identity or whereabouts of the subject involved in this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous. For more information, visit www.241stop.com.

GJPD# 2016-47460

Friday, March 3, 2017

Rosevale Drive home invasion robbery suspects in custody

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Mesa County Sheriff's Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for the two men believed to be behind the home invasion robbery on Rosevale Drive in February.

Austin Samples, 25, and Levi Duncan, 28, are facing numerous felony counts including Second Degree Kidnapping, and Burglary charges.
Levi Duncan, 28
Utah County Jail Photo

Duncan's charges are:
1. Second Degree Kidnapping  (Class 2 Felony)
2. Aggravated Robbery (Class 3 Felony)
3. 1st Degree Burglary (Class 3 Felony)
4. 1st Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (Class 3 Felony)
5. Theft ($5000 to $20000) (Class 5 Felony)
6. Menacing (Class 5 Felony)
7. Prohibited Use of a Weapon

Austin Samples, 25
MCSO Photo
Samples' charges are:
1. Second Degree Kidnapping (Class 2 Felony)
2. Aggravated Robbery (Class 3 Felony)
3. 1st Degree Burglary (Class 3 Felony)
4. 1st Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (Class 4 Felony)
5. Theft ($5000 to $20000) (Class 5 Felony)
6. Menacing (Class 5 Felony)
7. Possession of Weapons by Previous Offender (Class 5 Felony)
8. Prohibited Use of a Weapon

On February 21st, just before noon, two masked men entered a home on Rosevale Drive and held the homeowner at gun point. The two suspects stole guns and fled in the homeowner's 2007 black Hyundai Elantra. The car was found later abandoned at a nearby business. 

Samples and Duncan were arrested later that night in Utah on unrelated charges and warrants. They were found in possession of the stolen property and the keys to the stolen vehicle related to the Rosevale Dr. incident.

Samples was extradited to Mesa County on an unrelated warrant Thursday. He is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold. 

Duncan is still being held at the Utah County County Jail on unrelated charges.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

UPDATE: GJ man wanted for 43 counts of sex crimes on a child arrested in Las Vegas

Kenneth Weber, Jr. 35,
Las Vegas Metro Police Photo
LAS VEGAS - The Grand Junction man wanted for more than 40 counts of sex crimes involving children was arrested this morning by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officers.

Mesa County Sheriff's Investigators obtained a No Bond warrant for Kenneth Michael Weber, Jr., 35, Tuesday.

Weber is believed to have committed unlawful sexual acts with three separate child victims between January 2013 and November 2016.

Weber faces 43 counts of felony sex crime charges:
  • 12 counts of Sexual Assault on a child in a position of trust with a pattern of abuse, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 12 counts of Sexual Assault on a child in pattern of abuse, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 12 counts Aggravated Incest, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 4 counts of Patronizing a Prostituted Child, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 1 count of Soliciting for Child Prostitution, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 1 count Sexual Assault on a child in a position of trust, (Class 3 Felony).
  • 1 count Sexual Assault on a child (Class 4 Felony).
  • 4 counts of Jessica’s Law Enhancer. 
Weber was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Puppy Scam hitting the Grand Valley

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is warning future pet owners to stay away from attempting to buy puppies on Craigslist or online.

The Sheriff's Office has received a rash of reports of people losing hundreds of dollars trying to pay for dogs out-of-state that don't exist.

Scammers are preying on people who want to adopt breed specific animals. Victims have reported paying what has amounted to hundreds of dollars in adoption fees, transportation costs, and insurance money.

Be suspicious of any out-of-state seller. There are reputable rescue groups and breeders out there, many you can find through the American Kennel Club or the Colorado Breed Rescue Network. Ask for references, and detailed information about their operation including photos and videos of the dog you are purchasing. Legitimate sellers will give you all the costs up front. If they keep coming back and asking for more money, it's probably a SCAM.

There are also several places within Mesa County where you can rescue animals including the Mesa County Animal Services Shelter, Grand Rivers Humane and the Roice-Hurst Humane Society.