Friday, March 28, 2014

Wanted Sex Offender Now in custody after crashing into cars and running from law enforcement #gvcopbeat

Wanted Fugitive Now In Custody


Mesa County, CO - Wanted sex offender Lance Worrall is now in custody.  This evening officers and deputies with the Grand Junction Police Department and Mesa County Sheriff's Office Street Crimes Units spotted a vehicle they believed Worrall might be traveling in near the 2900 block of North Ave.  Officers followed that vehicle to the Candlewood Mobile Home park near D and 32 Rd in Clifton.  When they attempted to contact him he sped off in his car, hitting three vehicles before running head on into a marked GJPD patrol car.  It appears as if Worrall intentionally hit the patrol car.


Worrall continued driving to a nearby neighborhood where he jumped out of the car and started running through several yards, jumping fences along the way.  A responding Mesa County Sheriff's deputy was able to catch Worrall and deputies took him into custody.


A woman, 33-year-old Andrea Cordova, was also in the car with Worrall and also took off running when the car stopped.  A neighbor assisted in taking her into custody.  She was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

Worrall was transported to the hospital for injuries to his hands and feet.  He will then be booked into the Mesa County Jail.  He's facing charges of resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, felony criminal mischief, attempted 2nd degree assault on a peace officer and vehicular eluding.

No officers, deputies, or bystanders were injured in this incident.

Booking photos are not available at this time, and no further information will be available until Monday.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Internet Service Down, Some MCSO Services Modified Today

Update: As of 11:35 a.m., the Internet connection was restored at the Sheriff's Office. Our email services and our agency website are back up.

Mesa County, Colo. -- Internet connections are down at the Mesa County Sheriff's Office at this time, which has our County website down too. Some of our services are being modified because they normally operate over an internet connection, however we still remain open to citizens and our emergency services remain in full operation. 

Incoming and outgoing emails are not being received or sent from Sheriff's Office employees, and regular website updates are not available at this time. Further updates will be made available as we get information too. It is our understanding that Charter is working on the issue.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Patrol Stop Leads To Handgun And Warrant Arrest

Three Arrested On Warrants Related To Meth

Mesa County, Colo. -- A traffic stop on North Avenue yesterday evening results in three additional adults being booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on multiple outstanding warrants, most related to methamphetamine. 
Ashton Ryan, 26, of Grand Jct.
Ashton Ryan, 26, of Grand Junction, had posted bond from the local jail just yesterday morning about 10:45 a.m., then failed to appear in court and was booked back into the jail last night after being one of the occupants of the vehicle stopped by patrol deputies. Ashton was previously booked in the Mesa County Jail on March 21, 2014, and five times previous to that in 2013. His previous arrests were warrants associated with his failure to appear in court and/or new charges related primarily to meth.
Nicole Beyer-King, 26, of Grand Jct.

The driver of the vehicle stopped was later identified as Nicole Beyer-King, 26, of Grand Junction. Nicole had at least three warrants for her arrest, associated mostly with prior charges of methamphetamine. Nicole initially gave a false name and date of birth to deputies, who unfortunately for her, recognized her from previous law enforcement contacts. Nicole was charged with two new charges of criminal impersonation and driving under restraint, as her driver's license has been suspended for non-payment of child support.

Shaye Pierce, 22, of Grand Jct.
And, Shaye Pierce, 22, of Grand Junction, was arrested and booked into the jail on a warrant related to a previous charge of possession of methamphetamine. Shaye had a .380 handgun in his pocket that deputies located during his arrest. Shaye has previously been convicted of a felony and thus now has a new and additional felony charge of possessing a weapon by a previous offender and unlawfully carrying it concealed.

Bond information for anyone currently in our Detention Facility can be located by using our Inmate Inquiry System on our agency website. You can also get other information related to our agency by following us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.


Monday, March 24, 2014

Friday Morning Liquor Store Burglary

Burglary Suspect Look Familiar To You?

Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies responded to an alarm at the Fruitvale Liquor Store on 30 Road, at about 7 a.m., on Friday, March 21, 2014. While clearing the business for safety and security purposes, deputies observed some missing items and disarray inside the business. They were able to review surveillance footage and obtain the following images of a suspect, who was not on-scene when deputies arrived. The specific items taken from this burglary are not being released at this time pending the active investigation. 
The suspect from the surveillance video images is described as a white or Hispanic male, approximately 25 and 35 years old, about 5'8" to 5' 10" tall and weighing about 180 to 220 pounds. The suspect has dark, medium length hair and had a full goatee on the morning of Friday, March 21st. In the images it appears he is wearing a ball cap, long sleeve shirt and pants.

If you know anything about this burglary or recognize the suspect, please call Investigator Martin directly at (970) 244-3267, or you can report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Mesa County, (970) 241-STOP. 

For other emergency information, follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.

Friday, March 21, 2014

National Prescription Drug Take Back Event, April 26th

Mark Your Calendar For Drug Take Back Event

Mesa County, Colo. -- On Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Mesa County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Grand Junction Police Department, Palisade Police Department, and the Fruita Police Department will be participating in the bi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

This event seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. On this day, local law enforcement and the DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The locations for the upcoming Drug Take Back event, are:

  • The Grand Junction Police Department, 555 Ute Avenue, Grand Junction
  • Fruita Police Department, 157 S. Mesa Street, Fruita
  • Palisade Town Hall, 175 E. Third Street, Palisade
  • Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, 215 Rice Street, Grand Junction


This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. According to the DEA, many Americans are not aware that medicines in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. People often choose to flush them down the toilet or throwing them away in the trash, both of which are potential safety and health hazards.

As a reminder, the Mesa County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility will take: needles and sharps, over-the-counter medications, pressurized or aerosol and mercury containing items Thursdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is free of charge to Mesa County residents. However, they are NOT able to accept controlled substances (narcotics), chemotherapy or radio-active substances or oxygen tanks. The Mesa County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility can be reached directly at (970) 257-9336 or (970) 256-9543.

Get local tips and reminders about this event on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #DrugTakeBack, #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.

Wanted Man Tracked And Arrested By Street Crimes Unit

Street Crimes Unit Arrest Wanted Man, Add More Charges

Mesa County, Colo. -- Over a two day span, deputies in the Street Crime Unit attempted to located a wanted Grand Junction man. Daniel Higgins, Jr., 31, was located at a residence in the 600 block of 28 1/4 Road, late last night and arrested on the outstanding warrants in addition to several new charges.

Daniel Higgins, Jr., 31, of Grand Junction
Daniel's new charges stem from being suspected of driving a rental car and fleeing from law enforcement on March 19, which resulted in an adult female being ejected from that moving car. The female was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with unknown injuries (she was conscious). Deputies later located the rental car, which was abandoned. Personal items for multiple people were found inside the rental car, including nearly 40 grams of what appeared to be methamphetamine. However, the packaged material that appeared to be meth, was tested and did not provide a positive result for controlled substance/meth. 

In addition to vehicular eluding resulting in bodily injury, Daniel was charged with multiple bail bond violations, traffic infractions, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute imitation controlled substance, a felony charge. 

For bond information on any inmate in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter using @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

St. Patrick's Holiday Weekend DUIs

Holiday Weekend DUI Wrap-up


Mesa County, Colo. -- Our agency wasn't the only local law enforcement with extra patrols on the county roads with trained eyes for non-sober drivers. St. Patrick's Day holiday, according to Wikipedia, has a tradition of including alcohol in celebration of the lifting of Lent.

In addition to patrol deputies, addition deputies in their standard issue dark green pants were patrolling the county for drunk and/or drugged drivers. Over this most recent party period, deputies arrested 7 adults for driving and being under the influence of either or both, alcohol/drugs. The deputies on DUI patrols for this recent weekend were paid overtime through a state awarded grant, which target High Visibility Events (or traditional alcohol fueled holidays/events).

The legal limit for blood alcohol content--BAC for drivers over 21 years old is 0.08%, while the limit for drivers under 21 years old is 0.02%, according to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle's website, in reference to defining the levels of a qualifying DUI or DWAI in our state. The BAC limit in Colorado for DWAI is 0.05%.

A summary of a few of the impaired driving incidents handled by our agency over the last few days...
  • A 47-year-old Grand Junction man, blew a BAC of .145% on a breath test. He also was driving without a valid driver's license as the status was suspended for insurance termination and the deputy found at least three prior DUI charges in his criminal history.
  • A 35-year-old woman from Grand Junction, was stopped in the area of G and 25 Roads. She self admitted to being on her way to Fruita to pick-up her children. Her breath test registered a BAC of  .116%. The arresting deputy located a bottle of Schnapps inside the woman's vehicle, with 3/4 of it gone.
  • A Clifton resident and 47-year-old female, was arrested for driving under the influence of prescription medication (Ativan and Ambien). This woman was showing many signs and symptoms similar to a person under the influence of alcohol the deputy wrote in his report, which included her unsuccessfully completing roadside maneuvers. She self admitted to having a previous DUID, but no such record was found in the system by the arresting deputy.
To report an unsafe or suspected drunk/drugged driver, call 911 or *CSP/*277 from your mobile phone anywhere in Colorado. Providing a good vehicle description (including license plate information) and detailed location information to dispatch can be very helpful to law enforcement locating the suspected intoxicated driver. It takes everyone on the roads to catch these unsafe drivers.


Coroner & Investigators Working Unattended Death

Unattended Death Investigation

Mesa County, Colo. -- Today, about 4 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 3100 block of D 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, after local dispatch received a call of a gunshot heard in the area of the residential address. Patrol deputies initially found one adult male deceased in the driveway area.

The Mesa County Coroner responded to the scene and is expected to conduct an autopsy today, in an effort to determine cause and manner of death. Pending proper notification of the deceased's next of kin, the Coroner will release their findings in tangent with our agency investigation.

Updates will be provided as appropriate.
________________________________________________
Mesa County Coroner’s Office 
MEDIA RELEASE 

Date: March 19, 2014
Contact: 970-256-6462/coroner@mesacounty.us

For Immediate Release

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of
Cody Germany, a 54 year-old male resident of Grand Junction, CO. Mr. Germany was the
gentleman involved in the incident early this morning on D1/2 Road. The manner of
death is homicide. Due to it being an ongoing investigation we will not be releasing any
further information.

The law enforcement agency overseeing this investigation is the Mesa County Sheriff’s
Office. Please contact them for any further details regarding this case.

Thank you,

Dean M Havlik, MD; Mesa County Coroner
Victor Yahn, Chief Deputy Coroner 

Monday, March 17, 2014

More Weekend Meth Arrests

Curtis Haining, 34, of Grand Junction

Street Crimes Deputy & Patrol Make Meth Arrests

Mesa County, Colo. -- A Grand Junction resident, 34-year-old Curtis Haining, was arrested and charged with possessing more than 3 1/2 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia after deputies contacted Curtis in the 500 block of 29.5 Road, on Saturday afternoon. Curtis was initially arrested for an outstanding warrant and was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the warrant and additional charges related to the meth and pipe. Curtis has previously been booked in the local jail three additional times since August 2013.
Steven Cordova, 48, of Grand Junction
Another adult male was arrested initially by deputies for having a Failure to Appear in Court warrant, after they witnessed him driving in the area of 10th Street and Orchard Avenue, on Friday afternoon. Steven Cordova, 48, of Grand Junction was previously booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility in January 2014, and was currently out on felony bond for charges stemming from methamphetamine. 

Inside the vehicle that Steven was the only occupant of, deputies located one gram of methamphetamine. Steven was charged with additional felonies, including possession of controlled substance schedule I/II, bail bond violation and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Visit our Inmate Inquiry webpage for bond information on any inmate in our facility. Also, follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty for other emergency news in our area.

Friday, Three Arrested By Drug Task Force

James Haley, 41, of Florida

Three Arrested With Meth, Heroin, Marijuana

Kelee May, 31, of Florida
Mesa County, Colo. -- On Friday evening, in DeBeque, investigators and deputies with the Western Colorado Drug Task Force and deputies with the Mesa County Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with three adults. The driver, James Haley, 41 of Florida, did not possess a valid drivers licence. Also in the vehicle, were 31-year-old Kelee May, of Florida, and Jesus Alanis, 38, of Texas.

All three were arrested without incident and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges related to the nearly 25 grams of heroin, more than 15 grams of methamphetamine (combined amounts) and a large amount of marijuana was located inside the vehicle. Some of the drugs were found in various hidden compartments. The combined street value for this amount of drugs is thousands of dollars.
Jesus Alanis, 38, of Texas


Jesus was booked on possession of a schedule I/II drug and tampering with evidence, both felony charges. James was booked into the jail on multiple traffic infractions, possession of drug paraphernalia, multiple counts of possession of schedule I/II drug(s) and multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II drug(s). Kelee was booked on possession of drug paraphernalia, introducing contraband into the detention facility, multiple counts of possession of schedule I/II drug(s) and multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II drug(s).

Visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage for bond information on inmates in our facility. Also, follow us on Twitter @MesaSheriffColo using #MesaCounty and #GVCopBeat for other emergency updates.

Search & Rescue For Two Adults On Saturday

Two Adults Call 911 Lost North Of Cameo

Mesa County, Colo. -- Two adults, in their early 50's, went out on a hike into the Spring Creek Trailhead area on the morning of Saturday, March 15, 2014. Around 9 p.m., the local dispatch center received a call that the two hikers were lost and close to running out of water.

Find the missing hikers after dark would typically be an additional challenge, but on this night, St. Mary's Careflight helicopter was available to assist with the search. This helicopter is equipped such that it has the capability to fly at night. The two hikers had a flashlight with them, and were located by search and rescue personnel. Mesa County Search and Rescue Ground Team and ATV Team made contact with the hikers and assessed them, then escorted them back to their vehicle.

The hikers self reported no injuries and no need for medical attention. The Search & Rescue mission was completed in about 2 hours. Our agency does not charge people who need the services of Search & Rescue in Mesa County as we never want cost or fear of cost to hinder anyone from reporting an incident that requires Search & Rescue services. However, anyone who registers outdoor vehicle/equipment, purchases a fishing license, etc. is financially supporting the volunteer efforts of our Mesa County Search & Rescue members when the state reimburses us for qualifying missions. 

In addition, SARC in Mesa County is entirely made up of volunteer members who train well for a variety of potential missions in our area. It is also a state statute for Sheriffs in Colorado to provide or manage Search & Rescue services, this is a unique legislative requirement as search and rescue missions are not managed by Sheriffs nationwide.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo for updates across #MesaCounty using #GVCopBeat.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Local, State & Federal Levels Have Upcoming Drill Exercise In Area

Mesa County Picked As One Of Five National Drill Locations

http://mesacountypio.org/

Department of Energy Scenario Based Simulated Exercise Involves Local Agencies

Mesa County, CO--- Local hotels, restaurants, rental companies and many more local establishments will benefits from the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County being chosen as one of five locations nationwide to host a full scale 3-day, multi-agency exercise. The exercise is under the leadership of National Emergency Preparedness as part of the Capstone Exercise 2014, with a goal to get greater community participation and planning involvement.

Locally, there will be multiple exercises going on within the drill scheduled for Mesa County, April 1-3, 2014. Examples of scenarios involved in the upcoming national event, include a large scale earthquake event in Alaska, as well as locally the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters--VOAD (such as the Grand Junction Salvation Army and American Red Cross Western Colorado Chapter), will be setting up a practice shelter at a local church during this same exercise period.

Local agencies and organizations, include the Joint Information System/Center (JIS/JIC), will use this opportunity to test their integration and large scale emergency capabilities alongside our state and federal partners. Local JIS/JIC members are primarily public information personnel from emergency and critical function agencies, such as hospitals, law enforcement, fire, schools, city and county government, utilities, health and human services, transportation and more. They are the faces of their organizations our citizens have come to know and trust. Many of the local JIS/JIC members will be playing active roles in this exercise for all 3-days, to include simulated news conferences, a simulated town hall meeting and simulated citizen inquiries into the already active Western Colorado 211 (community resource InfoLine).

“The value of this exercise will truly shine when we have a FEMA qualified incident in Mesa County,” Andy Martsolf, Mesa County Emergency Manager, said. “This scenario helps us practice continuity for future preparedness.”

The Department of Energy is leasing the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Center (CLETC) and Mesa County Fairgrounds for two locations to host local drill participants. The local scenario involves a large crash on Interstate 70, near Horizon Drive. However, I-70 will NOT be impacted in any way during this exercise, as the crash will be simulated at CLETC (located in the Whitewater area). However, it will be business as usual for the organizations and public lands around CLETC during the exercise.

An Emergency Operation Center, managed by our Mesa County Emergency Manager, will be established on day one of this exercise, along with a unified command that will likely include Grand Junction Fire Department EMS/ambulance and hazardous materials response, and Grand Junction Police Department. City and county government will be simulating the dedication of resources to this drill incident and exercising their process with elected officials to budget capabilities, staffing levels, citizen health concerns, public information dissemination and much more.

The Office of Secure Transport (OST) is managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration within the U.S. Department of Energy. According to their website, OST is responsible for the safe and secure transport of government owned nuclear materials in the United States. For the purpose of this drill, the simulated crash on I-70, will involve an OST truck, which involves the practice of security and protection to any of their cargo. In addition to the crash involving the OST truck, many other federal and state agencies will become involved in this exercise based on injects from the writers of the drill scenario, who have a goal to test the various elements and organizations that will be involved.

To view previous incident and drill notifications to media and citizens of Mesa County and Western Colorado, visit and enroll your email address in the JIS/JIC blog, which is anticipated to be heavily utilized during this exercise event. You can find the JIS/JIC blog by visiting: www.mesacountyjic.com.

###

Suspect And Officers Named In Palisade Shooting

Documents Unsealed By Judge, Suspect Photo Released

George Romero, 60, of Palisade
Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies were dispatch to 3826 G Road, Palisade, on the night of March 05, 2014, on a report of domestic violence and assault of an adult female victim. Just moments before a deputy arrived, two officers with the Palisade Police Department arrived and attempted to make contact with the suspect in the driveway of the residence.

Shots were exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement on-scene, however no one was injured or hit during the exchange. The suspect, George Romero, 60, of Palisade, was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility that same night. The female victim was checked out by medical personnel on-scene, but was not transported for further medical attention.

It is standard procedure to active a multi-agency investigation (CIRT) when there is an officer involved shooting anywhere in Mesa County, just as what occurred in this incident. The CIRT--Critical Incident Response Team was activated the night of the shooting in Palisade. The CIRT investigation, upon completion, will be sent to the 21st Judicial District Attorney for review and determination of charges.

The Mesa County Sheriff's deputy who responded to the scene is Matt King. Deputy King has and will remain working his regular patrol schedule and duties, uninterrupted by his involvement in this incident. According to Palisade Police Chief Tony Erickson, Sergeant Tom Carline and Officer John Cooper were placed on paid administrative leave from the Department. It is standard procedure when officers are involved in a shooting incident.

The arrest affidavit of George Romero and the search warrant of the residence on G Road were unsealed by court order on Monday, March 10, 2014, making the above information releasable. George is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on a one million dollar cash only bond, set by a judge on March 06, 2014. For updates on any inmate in our jail, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Monday, March 10, 2014

House Ransacked, Items Stolen In Mid-February

Firearms And Rare Coins Stolen From House

Mesa County, Colo. -- On February 17, 2014, a patrol deputy took a report of items stolen from a home in the 100 block of Mesa Grande Drive, on the Redlands, in Grand Junction. Eight firearms and multiple rare coins were among items missing from the residence, which was also ransacked and vandalised.

Among the stolen items were a 50 caliber muzzle loader and two Smith & Wesson .38 caliber handguns. If anyone has been approached to buy firearms matching these three guns or in addition to, and/or rare coins in a suspicious manner or they suspect are stolen, please call Investigator Craig Tyer directly, at (970) 244-3919. The case report number on this incident is: #14-4486. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous can also call or text Crime Stoppers of Mesa County with any information about this residential burglary.

For other emergency notices in our area, follow us on Twitter @MesaSheriffColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Street Crimes Unit Nabs Wanted Parolee And Another Meth Arrest, Overnight

Parole Absconder: Gary Swenson, 37, of Fruita

Street Crimes Unit Made Two Arrests Overnight

Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies with the agency's Street Crimes Unit have been narrowing the location of Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Inmate, Gary Swenson, for several days. Gary was wanted by Parole for absconding, and had a no bond/parole hold warrant out for his arrest. SCU deputies were getting information that Gary was in the County and they worked diligently to locate him, arresting him early this morning in the 500 block of Coronado Court, in Clifton.
Gary was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility where he remains without bond. 

Angel Bradley, 34, of Grand Junction
Previous to locating and arresting Gary Swenson, SCU deputies contacted Angel Bradley in the area of 6th Street and Ouray Avenue, in Grand Junction, about 8 p.m., yesterday. Angel was arrested in connection to the previous night SCU investigation and arrests where Jeffrey Rosenthal and Benjamin Myers were arrested and booked into the jail on meth related charges. 

Angel was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges related to intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. A follow-up investigation into suspected meth located in the back of a deputy's patrol vehicle, who had only transported Angel to the jail and no one else, resulted in additional charges for her. The added charges include, possession of a schedule 1-2 drug, introduction of contraband and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bond information can be located through our Inmate Inquiry System, on our agency website. For other updates on emergency scenes, follow us on Twitter @MesaSheriffColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCountry. 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Law Enforcement Responds To Domestic Violence Incident

Domestic Call Turns To Shooting, CIRT Activated

Update at 5 p.m., March 06, 2014
Mesa County, Colo. -- The suspect in this incident is identified as George Romero, 60, of Palisade. He was booked last night on the following charges:

  • Criminal Attempt
  • Homicide (attempted)
  • Menacing
  • Domestic Violence
  • Criminal Attempt
  • Homicide (attempted)
  • Menacing

No booking photo is available at this time and the affidavit and search warrants remain sealed. The case remains active and on-going and updates will be provided as they become available.

Previously Published at 10 p.m., March 05, 2014
Mesa County, Colo. -- Minutes before 8 p.m., a 911 call came into the local dispatch of a domestic violence incident in the 3800 block of G Road, Palisade. The incident occurred in the County, with multiple deputies responding to the scene along with Palisade Police officers.

Gun shots were exchanged between the male suspect from the domestic violence incident and law enforcement. No one was hit or injured from a gun, although the female victim was checked out on scene by paramedics (but was not transported for any additional medical services).

The male suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility. As is standard procedure when law enforcement is involved in a shooting incident, the CIRT--Critical Incident Response Team, is activated to investigate.

Interviews and crime scene processing will continue through the night, however no additional updates are expected tonight.

Media inquiries can be made to Heather Benjamin, MCSO.

Interstate 70 Closed At Palisade

Multi-Agency Incident Closes I-70 For Safety Reasons


Mesa County, Colo.-- Multiple agencies have responded to the 3800 block of G 7/10 Road, for a non-criminal incident. Colorado Department of Transportation closed I-70 for safety reasons at the request of the Grand Junction Police Department Regional Bomb Squad. The Interstate is expected to re-open by or before early evening.

All updates regarding this multi-agency incident will be posted on the Mesa County JIC Blog: http://mesacountyjic.com/ You can also follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesColo or follow CDOT on Twitter @ColoradoDOT.



Street Crimes Unit Deputies Arrest Two With Meth

Benjamin Myers, 25, of GJ

Two Arrested With Large Amount Of Meth

Mesa County, Colo. -- Yesterday night, deputies with the agency's Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that pulled into the North Avenue Wal-Mart. The vehicle had three adults in it when contacted by deputies for fictitious license plates on the car.

Jeffrey Rosenthal, 2010 Photo
Benjamin Myers, 25, of Grand Junction and Jeffrey Rosenthal, 45, of Delta, were arrested without incident and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility after deputies made contact with the vehicle occupants and discovered a large amount of methamphetamine in the possession of both men. The street value of the meth confiscated in this bust is estimated to be about $5,500.00.

Both suspects were booked into the jail on charges related to possession of methamphetamine, intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and Benjamin was also booked on a tampering with evidence charge and Jeffrey was also booked on an additional charge of money laundering.

For bond information on any inmate in our facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System website. Also, for other emergency updates in our area, follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Possible Phone Scam Circulating Area

No Victims Reported, But Suspicious Calls To Area Resident

Mesa County, Colo.-- Property Crimes Unit Investigator took a call from a County resident of suspicious calls she has recently been receiving at her home. The resident reports the calls appear on her Caller-ID equipment as the following various phone numbers:
  • 970.128.4946 
  • 970.175.1856
  • 970.167.1389
  • 970.154.8638
  • 970.194.9817
When the resident answered one of the calls, she was advised she entered a sweepstakes and then the caller asked for a credit card number, from her. She did not provide the caller any personal or financial information and was not a victim of the scam. The resident's Caller-ID equipment listed the return number as originating from a Middle Eastern country, even though it appears with a local area code.

This is likely an attempt by a fraudster to obtain personal financial information with the intent to commit a crime(s). We have no reported victims at this time for this specific fraud attempt, however, we share this information as a reminder to citizens to remain vigilant in not providing personal or financial information over the phone or to anyone you don't know, or didn't contact directly yourself. 

For additional tips on not becoming a victim of a telemarketing scam, visit the FBI's website on the topic. And, to report a non-emergency crime in Mesa County, call dispatch at (970) 242-6707 or to report an emergency call, 911.

For other tips and emergency information in our area, follow us on Twitter @SheriffMesaColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty.

Patrol Arrests Woman With Meth In Traffic Stop Overnight

Jennifer Hargis, 27, of Grand Jct.

Woman Booked Into Jail Five Times In Seven Months, Latest Arrest For Meth

Mesa County, Colo. -- A 27-year-old woman, from Grand Junction, was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility yesterday night, on multiple felony charges. Jennifer Hargis was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by patrol deputies at 29 and D 1/2 Roads, for traffic violations.

Deputies observed a hypodermic needle in the vehicle where Jennifer had been sitting as a passenger, along with locating paraphernalia used for smoking meth in Jennifer's undergarments. She was booked on a charge of possessing methamphetamine, three counts of violating bail bond conditions and possessions of drug paraphernalia, without incident. 

Since September 2013, Jennifer has been booked into the jail four previous times by officers with the Grand Junction Police Department on warrants, theft, criminal impersonation and fraud charges. 

For current bond information on Jennifer or anyone in our Detention Facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry webpage on our county website. Also, for other emergency updates follow us on Twitter @MesaSheriffColo using #GVCopBeat and #MesaCounty. And, to view a daily report of everyone booked into our Detention Facility, click here