Friday, December 30, 2016

Register your bike!

MESA COUNTY, Colo -- Each year, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office recovers over a hundred bikes that never make it back to their owner.

The problem is most of the bikes found aren't registered and the person who lost the bike didn't keep proof of ownership, like a receipt from when it was purchased or the bike's serial number.

On average the Mesa County Sheriff's Office finds between 100-140 lost or stolen bikes a year. Typically only one or two of those will be returned to their owners.

Right now over a dozen bikes sit unclaimed. This could easily be prevented if you register your bike!

Register your bike with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office 

It's simple! If you live in the county download the Bike Registration form or pick one up from our office. Include a picture, the serial number of the bike, and your contact information. Then bring the form to our office at 215 Rice Street, Grand Junction. We are open Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. excluding observed holidays.

If your bike gets lost or stolen and we find it, our deputies can match that information and return your bike back to you!

A few minutes of your time could mean all the difference!

Get the form here!

*Note: If you live within Grand Junction city limits, register your bike with the Grand Junction Police Department.


Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - This week Crime Stoppers of Mesa County needs your help in locating the suspect that used counterfeit United States Currency.

On Monday, December 19th a female suspect paid for her merchandise with counterfeit $100 bills at the Rite Aid located at 400 N. 1st Street.

Security cameras took a picture of a black female, approximately 25 to 35 years of age, about 5’6” to 5’9” tall, weighing 170 to 190 pounds, wearing blue jeans and a light winter coat with a fur-lined collar and carrying a large tan purse.

If you know the identity or whereabouts of this subject, 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# 2016-77723

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Statement on Jones Guilty Verdict

We commend the jury for fulfilling their civic duty and rendering a thoughtful and just verdict. A case this complex took time and took the jurors away from their work and families for weeks. We thank them for their service and sacrifice.

We believe in our justice system and thank the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office, our investigators and deputies as well as members of the public who put in countless hours of hard work into this case. We also would like to thank the Grand Junction Police Department, Grand Junction Fire Department, Delta County Sheriff's Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation for their work on this case as well.

While this verdict will not bring Paige Birgfeld back to her family, we are happy it will give her family closure.

XXXXXXXX

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Third arrest made after deadly shooting

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Further investigation has lead to more charges in connection to the Nov. 6 deadly shooting on the 3200 block of B 1/2 Road.

Jordan Shaw, 26, is now in custody after a warrant was issued for her arrest for the charges of Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (class 4 felony) and Theft (class 2 misdemeanor).She is being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold until her first appearance in court.

During the investigation into the shooting death of Shandie Case, Shaw claimed ownership of guns that Mesa County Sheriff's Investigators determined were not hers and at least one was stolen.

Two people were shot during the Nov. 6 alteration over a truck. Shandie Case, 25, was killed and Joseph Manzanarez Jr, 34, was wounded.

Manzanarez is facing charges of one count of Possession of Weapon by previous offender (class 5 felony), 2 counts of Felony menacing (class 5 felony) and Prohibited Use of a Weapon for his role in the shooting. He is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on $100,000 cash bond.

Case's common-law husband, 29-year-old Alexander Fedak, is facing charges of Criminally Negligent Homicide (class 5 felony), Vehicular Eluding (class 5 felony), Possession of a Weapon by a previous offender (class 6 felony), and Reckless Driving. He is currently being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our detention facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry webpage.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - Crime Stoppers needs your help in locating the suspects that stole a cart full of items from Albertson’s located at 2512 Broadway on Tuesday, October 18th around 6:30 p.m. 

The three suspects were last seen leaving in an older model gray colored sedan. 


The suspects are described as:
  • A Hispanic male, 20 to 30 years old, about 5’8” to 6’ tall, with an average build and dark hair.
  • First Hispanic female, 15 to 25 years old, about 115 to 125 pounds with long black hair.
  • Second Hispanic female, 20 to 30 years old, about 5’6” to 5’10” tall, 150 to 200 pounds with red hair.

The total estimated value of loss is over $1,000.00. 

If you recognize the persons in this crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. When you call Crime Stoppers and give them information on someone that gets arrested they will pay you a cash reward up to $1,000 without asking your name.

GJPD Case # 2016-63843

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Scammers now using social media to swindle Grandparents

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is getting reports of the Grandparents Scam making the rounds again, but with a new twist. Scammers are using information possibly found on social media to make their scam more believable.

A person is calling seniors in our community pretending to be their grandson or granddaughter saying they are in a foreign country, in trouble, and need money.

Recently one person in Mesa County was scammed out of $400 after believing her granddaughter was in trouble in Canada. The scam sounded real because her granddaughter does in fact travel to Canada often, so the fake story the scammers were telling could have in fact been real. 

Spotting the Scam
The way to check and find out if it's a scam, CALL! Before sending any money, call the person they are claiming to be. It sounds simple, but when you are worried about your loved one, that simple step can easily be overlooked. If you can't get ahold of them, try to contact other family members, friends, or even their work to verify the story. That way if you do have to send money, you're loved one will get it, not a scammer!

Why people are falling victim
This scam is not new, scammers have been using it for years, but they are finding ways to make it sound even more real. Scammers are using details that they get through social media or from the person they are trying to scam. 

The scammer will usually start the conversation off with "Hi Grandma/Grandpa." Naturally, we typically respond with a hello and then say our loved one's name, like "Hi Megan," or "Is that you Bobby?" That's how scammers find out the person's grandchild's information, making the scam sound even more real. 

The scammers will also pose as the law enforcement agency of the foreign country and use a similar tactic to get your family member's name. Here's an example:
Scammer: "Hello ma'am, this is Officer Joe with the Canadian Police. Your grandson was arrested for drunk driving and he thought you might be able help him. Is that correct?"Victim: "Yes, of course! Is Mike, okay?

Be AWARE of what you post on social media
Social media is making it easy for scammers to use personal information posted to their advantage. If someone posts online they are going to Mexico on a trip for example. They most likely also have a picture of them with Grandma or Grandpa during the holidays. Maybe the photo even has a caption saying, "At Grandpa Joe's house in Grand Junction for Christmas." Now the scammer knows that person is in Mexico and has potential victim they can target in Grand Junction. 

Privacy settings are a great tool on social media, but the only way to ensure your privacy online is to monitor what you are posting. Be mindful of posts that talk about your location or family members locations. Going on a fantastic trip? Save all of those incredible pictures and tell everyone about it after you get back. Letting people know you're gone, also means your house will be empty and a good target for thieves. 

If you think you've been scammed call the Mesa County Sheriff's Office at (970) 244-3500.

Note an earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the amount of money the person in Mesa County was scammed as $4,000. The correct amount is $400.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Rose Parade Float will honor Deputy Derek Geer

Kate Geer honors her husband,
Deputy Derek Geer
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - Donor Alliance announced Tuesday Kate Geer will ride on its float in the Rose Parade in honor of Deputy Derek Geer who became an organ donor after he was killed in the line of duty.

Tuesday afternoon, Kate Geer teamed up with the Donate Life Colorado, St. Mary's Hospital, and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office to talk about the impact of organ donation.
Sheriff Matt Lewis talks about the importance
 of talking about organ donation wishes now. 

Deputy Geer was killed in the line of duty on February 8th, but continued to save lives.  He was able to be an organ donor, ultimately saving four lives by giving his heart, liver and both kidneys. 

"Even after death, he continued his commitment to helping and protecting others," said Kate Geer.

As a symbol of gratitude to the Sheriff's Office,
Mrs. Geer pinned Donate Life pins on Sheriff Matt Lewis,
Capt. Art Smith and Capt. Todd Rowell. 
Donating is a personal choice. Tuesday's event stressed the importance of talking about that personal decision now with loved ones.

The decision to become a donor Kate Geer said was one of the first decisions she and Derek made as a married couple.

"Derek was steadfast in his commitment to it, believing it to be another way to help others, which he did at every turn throughout his life," said Geer. "He even educated me on the fact that as many as eight lives can be saved by one organ donor and more than 50 lives can be saved or healed through one tissue donor."

Since her husband’s passing, Kate has been an active advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation. 

Donate Life flag raised
at St. Mary's Hospital
On Monday, January 2nd, she will travel to Pasadena to ride on the fourteenth annual Donate Life Rose Parade Float in honor of Deputy Geer.

She will be in the 5-mile-long parade alongside 23 others from around the country who have been touched by donation.


 Sheriff Matt Lewis, Capt. Art Smith and
 Capt. Todd Rowell watch flag raising. 
The Donate Life Flag will also fly in Deputy Geer's honor at St. May's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Grand Junction.

You can watch the nationally televised 128th Rose Parade on January 2nd. Check your local listings. 

To learn more about organ donation click here.

To watch the full press conference click here.

Join Mesa County Search & Rescue's Ground Team!

MESA COUNTY, Colo -  The Mesa County Search and Rescue Ground Team is looking for new members and is currently accepting applications.

The highly trained nonprofit professional rescue organization is looking for outdoor enthusiasts available to volunteer during the workweek. Members must be able to carry a 40lb pack over mountainous terrain and be willing to learn. All required skills will be taught during a 5 week course.

On average the Mesa County Search and Rescue Ground Team receives anywhere from 55 to 60 search and rescue missions a year throughout the Western Slope. From safely carrying out injured mountain bikers to finding lost individuals in the mountains, members are on call 24/7 to support the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office with any and all search and rescue efforts free of charge.  The team's goal is to help out those who are just having a bad day! 

If you love the outdoors and want to make a difference in people's lives and the community, this could be the organization for you!

All prospective members must first complete an application. Applications can be picked up at the front counter of the Sheriff’s Office during business hours or downloaded off our website.

Please note, anyone interested in becoming a new member must pass a background check and will have to go through an interview process. The deadline for turning in applications is Friday, December 30, 2016.

Completed applications can be emailed to Bernice.Stogsdill@MesaCounty.us (subject line: SARC Application);

or, dropped off at the front counter of the Sheriff's Office, Attention: Bernice

The front counter at the Sheriff's Office is open Monday through Friday (holidays excluded), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at 215 Rice Street, Grand Junction;

or, mail your completed application to:

Mesa County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Bernice
215 Rice Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(Make sure we receive it by Dec. 30th)

For more information, questions or inquiries, please contact Doug Sieckert by calling (970) 234-0763 or email dls63@yahoo.com

Learn more about the Mesa County Search and Rescue Ground Team's website and Facebook page.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Fallen Hero License Plate in danger of going away


UPDATE: The Colorado DMV says if the goal of 3,000 speciality plates are not ordered by July 1, 2017 like the statute requires, it will give the Colorado Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) a year grace period before it retires the Fallen Heroes Plates.
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MESA COUNTY, Colo - The license plate that honors our fallen Colorado Law Enforcement Officers will no longer be an option for Colorado motorists if more aren't purchased by next summer.

Over 600 sets of the speciality plates must be ordered before July 1, 2017 or the State of Colorado may no longer offer it.

The Fallen Hero license plate is an important fundraiser for the Colorado Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

The non-profit organization provides programs and contributes to the emotional and psychological well-being of the surviving family and co-workers of a line-of-duty death.  C.O.P.S. is able help provide hope and services to those survivors of officers killed here in Colorado.

Those interested in getting a Fallen Heroes license plate must obtain a PayPal receipt of a one-time $50.00 donation to Colorado Concerns of Police Survivors or C.O.P.S. You can get that here.

Print the receipt and take it to the Mesa County DMV to order the plate.  The plate will be mailed to you. 

This is a one time donation, and from then on you can renew the plates at the normal rate.

*Note: The State of Colorado also charges you a specialty license plate fee of $50 when you buy any specialty license plates. The total cost will be $100 initially with $50 of that going to C.O.P.S. as a donation. 

The Background Of Colorado’s Fallen Hero License Plates
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB12-1023 on April 26, 2012 in a ceremony at the Capitol, establishing a Colorado Law Enforcement Fallen Heroes License Plate. Larimer County Sheriff's Office Deputy Basil Marciniak originated the idea for the license plate in response to the death of Weld County Sheriff's Deputy Sam Brownlee. Northern Colorado legislators B. J. Nikkel and Steven King sponsored the legislation.

Justin Smith, who was then the Larimer County Sheriff, attended the ceremony with the Governor, and said, "This is an opportunity for citizens to recognize and remember the ultimate sacrifices many law enforcement officers have made and the risks officers face on a daily basis."