Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Standoff with Wanted Assault Suspect

Wanted Man Armed with a Knife Surrenders


Mesa County, Colo. --  Today at about 5:10 p.m. Deputies responded to 911 calls reporting a man was hitting and choking a female inside an apartment in the 2900 block of Dawn Drive.  

Roberto Monarrez, 19, of GJ
When Deputies approached the residence a woman fled the apartment when she realized law enforcement was outside and ran to them for help.  She reported her husband, 19-year-old Roberto Monarrez, beat her and then choked her when she tried to leave, and was currently inside by himself and armed with a knife.  Roberto was already wanted by law enforcement for a Failure to Appear warrant.

The residence was quickly surrounded, with several MCSO SWAT operators arriving to assist.  After about 35 minutes, Roberto exited the residence and peacefully surrendered without any physical resistance.

Roberto was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility for Felony Menacing, False Imprisonment, Third Degree Assault, Domestic Violence, and a failure to appear warrant related to another case.

Standoff with Wanted Assault Suspect on Dawn Dr

Monday, April 27, 2015

Burglary and Assault Suspect Arrested

Man Forces Entry and Attacks Guest in an Apartment

Brad Roling, 31, of Clifton, Colo.
Mesa County, Colo. -- Tonight at about 6 p.m., deputies responded to the 3200 block of Chipeta Court after receiving a report of an assault in progress.  

31-year-old Brad Roling was arrested after victims and witnesses identified him as their neighbor, and the person who was trying to pick fights with several people in the area and chased at least one man down the street.  Brad then forced his way into a neighbor's apartment, damaging the door to get in, and attacked and injured another man, all for no reason anyone was able to identify.  No one was seriously injured.  

Mr. Roling was arrested and charged with First Degree Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Third Degree Assault, Harassment and Criminal Mischief.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Prescription Drug Take Back Box Closes, Landfill Next Option

Lobby Rx Box Closes, Landfill Accepts Rx Drugs

Mesa County, Colo. -- Starting Monday, April 27, Mesa County residents should take their unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs to the Mesa County Hazardous Waste Facility, 3071 Hwy. 50, in Grand Junction.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will no longer be accepting the prescription drugs due to the cost of disposing large quantities. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration held their final prescription drug take back event, nationally, in the fall of 2014. Since then, the Sheriff’s Office has continued to accept unwanted medications. Without the DEA’s assistance in properly destroying the prescription drugs and the Hazardous Waste Collection Facility’s restrictions on processing large quantities, the Sheriff’s Office is regrettably left with no alternative option other than to remove the take back box and redirect citizens to the Hazardous Waste facility.

“There is a need in our community for safe disposal of these medications,” said Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis. “This is clear from the amount of medications we receive on a regular basis. I am thankful for the local option our citizens will continue to have.”

The Mesa County Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, located at the Landfill, accepts over-the-counter medications and sharps/syringes from Mesa County households for free. The facility does not accept controlled substances.

Residential collection days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on the Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, call (970) 256-9543 or visit www.mesacounty.us/swm/hazmat.  

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Eight Grams Of Meth Found In Woman's Possession

Deputy Checks Vehicle, Find Woman Without Pants On

Mesa County, Colo. -- A deputy checking a vehicle parked in a lot associated with a closed business, at 10 p.m., on April 14, found more than he was expecting. Initially, the woman in the vehicle identified herself multiple times with the wrong spelling of her supposed last name. She was parking at 3210 I-70 Business Loop and claimed her car had ran out of gas. She was not wearing pants and appeared to be trying to be less than honest about her true identity.
Wendy Butcher, 34, of Arkansas

Ultimately, the deputy located multiple identifying documents with different names, social security numbers and more. Drug paraphernalia was found in the car, along with approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine. She was identified as Wendy Butcher, 34, of Arkansas, and eventually told the deputy she has spent some time in Utah and thought she had a warrant out of Utah. She claimed to be trying to make her way back to Arkansas.

Wendy was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges related to the meth possession, drug paraphernalia, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of two or more financial devices, criminal possession of identification documents and driving under restraint/denied license. She remains in custody at this time on a $5,000 cash or surety bond, with her next court date scheduled for April 21, at 8:30 a.m.

To obtain updated information about inmates currently in our custody, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Drugged Driving & Child Porn Possession Arrests

Patrol Makes Separate, Recent Arrests

Micah Hopkins, 29, of GJ
Mesa County, Colo. -- On Saturday, patrol deputies responded to a parent's call of her teen receiving nude photos of a local 29-year-old man, through social media. Deputies contacted the suspect, identified as Micah Hopkins, of Grand Junction, and ultimately booked him into the Mesa County Detention Facility on one count of sexual exploitation of a child--possession.

Micah was issued a $3,000 PR bond on Monday, and was released from the jail. His next court date is scheduled for April 21, 2015, at 8 a.m.

Yesterday morning, a patrol deputy in training was in the area of a possible drunk driver called into dispatch. The deputy and his training officer, witnessed driving behavior that coincide with the report to dispatch and ultimately conducted a traffic stop. Ryah Hollandsworth, 21, of Grand Junction was the driver and only occupant of the vehicle. She did not complete roadside maneuvers successfully and was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

Ryah Hollandsworth, 21, of GJ
While being transported to a local hospital for a mandatory blood test, she attempted to hide several prescription pills in the backseat of the patrol car. In addition, a loaded handgun was located in her vehicle within reach of the driver's seat and an AR-15 style rifle was located hidden in the backseat.

Ryah was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on multiple driving charges, possession of controlled substance, prohibited use of a weapon and tampering with evidence. 

To access updated bond information or charges about any inmate currently in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry website.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Follow-Up On Battle Of The Heroes Blood Drive

Team Fire Took The Win, But Team Police Put Up A Fight

Mesa County, Colo. -- The first Heroes Behind the Badges Blood Drive was in full swing this spring. It was friendly competition between local law enforcement and local fire departments, encouraging participation with citizens, to choose sides. In total, 380 blood donations were made to either #TeamPolice or #TeamFire. In the end, #TeamFire came out on top and won the competition. The Fire Team gathered 214 donations and law enforcement gathered 166.

The result of this blood drive, garnered more blood for the Regional Blood Center than they typically have on hand during a local spring break, Sherri Burns, Donor Recruiter, said during a news conference today on the St. Mary's Hospital campus.

Poster With Community Comments
The Fire Team decided to award their winning prize, a $250 check to a charity of choice, to Delaney Donates. Delaney was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma– a solid tissue tumor cancer that effects the sympathetic nervous system. According to her website, “Delaney has been through several years of treatment and still continues to fight her battle however her desire to help other families fighting cancer is very strong. She takes everyday and makes it her best. She believes that each person fighting needs to be recognized because it lets them know they do have someone cheering for them, especially when times are the hardest.”

In addition to donating blood, community members wrote kind messages of thanks and appreciation to all local law enforcement agencies and fire departments. St. Mary’s created posters with the comments left by citizens who donated blood during this campaign, on behalf of either #TeamPolice or #TeamFire. GJPD Chief, John Camper, accepted a certificate of appreciation for participating in the blood drive on behalf of all local law enforcement.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Overnight Arrests Include Marijuana & Child Abuse

Interstate Interdiction Nets 84 Pounds Of Marijuana,                                             Patrol Nabs Drunk Driver With Infant In Car

Approximately 84 pounds of pre-packaged marijuana
located in the van driven by Peter Vercillo.
Mesa County, Colo. -- Illinois resident, Peter Vercillo, 37, might not find the humor in waking up in the Mesa County Detention Facility on April Fool's Day, after being booked by our agency's interstate interdiction deputies on one count of intent to distribute marijuana. Deputies conducted a traffic stop for a left lane violation near mile marker 12 (Loma, Colo.), on Interstate 70 traveling eastbound, around 6 p.m., March 31.

Peter Vercillo of Naperville, IL


One of our agency's drug sniffing K-9 dogs were used and indicated a positive response to the presence of drugs in the vehicle occupied only by Peter. Approximately 84 pounds of pre-packaged marijuana was located in the back of the van. Under Colorado law, one ounce of marijuana is legal to possess for a person 21-years-old or older. Eighty four pounds of marijuana is approximately 1,344 ounces, an amount more than 1,000 times the legal amount in Colorado.

Across town, this arrest occurred...

Victor Reyes, 25, of Clifton
Feb 2015 MCSO Photo
A patrol deputy in the area of E and 32 Roads at around 9:30 p.m., witnessed a passenger vehicle traveling at speeds near 100 miles per hour in a 35 mile an hour zone. Through the course of investigation, deputies were able to link Victor Reyes, 25, of Clifton, to a previous domestic violence incident handled by the Grand Junction Police Department, as well as determine Victor was driving carelessly, under suspended license, under the influence of alcohol, child abuse-no injury, resisting arrest, possession of a schedule I/II drug and paraphernalia.

Victor is suspected of causing damage to the vehicle he was driving at a high rate of speed while having his infant son in the car. The child was uninjured and returned to his mother's family upon Victor's arrest. Deputies located Victor inside a home in the 400 block of Mae Street, in Clifton, where he was arrested on the above noted charges.

Advisement hearings will occur this afternoon for anyone arrested on March 31, to include bond amounts being set. Updates on any inmate in facility, can be found on our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.