Thursday, September 27, 2018

Missing 61-year-old man

Missing
Darrell Pottratz, 61
Missing
Darrell Pottratz, 61
CLIFTON, Colo – The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating Darrell Pottratz, 61, of Grand Junction.

He was last seen yesterday morning at 10:30 leaving his home on the 3200 block of Lorene Drive wearing blue pants and a green zip-up sweater. He typically leaves his home to visit a nearby friend but has not been seen at the friend’s home.

Pottratz is described as a white male, 5’11, 205lbs with blonde hair and blue eyes. He suffers from dementia and Parkinson’s. Pottratz also cannot speak due to a previous stroke.

He was reporting missing by family members.

If seen please call 911 or the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707.

Friday, September 21, 2018

No Fire Restrictions, but fire danger still high


MESA COUNTY, Colo – In light of changing fire restrictions in surrounding counties, the Mesa County Sheriff, Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office, and Grand Junction Fire Department want to remind the public while there are no fire restrictions in place, fire danger remains high. Mesa County continues to experience extreme and exceptional drought conditions and fuels that support rapid fire growth remain very dry.

The public is asked to remain cautious with activities that could ignite a wildfire. A small spark has the potential to spread very quickly in current conditions. People should continue to use caution when burning or using fire outdoors, especially in heavily forested and grassy areas. Remember to discard cigarette butts safely and not throw them on the ground or outside of your car. If you choose to have a campfire, always have a way to quickly extinguish it and never leave an open flame unattended.

At this time, there are no fire restrictions in place for Mesa County, and land managed by the BLM Grand Junction Field Office.

“We continue to closely monitor fire and weather conditions across the area and want to ensure everyone understands that although we are not currently in fire restrictions, fire danger remains very high. As cooler fall temperatures begin, we will continue to work with other fire agencies to evaluate local conditions and the need to re-enter restrictions” said Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis.

While fuels are continuing to dry out, the shorter days and longer cooler nights are likely to bring some relief. The longer nights are also allowing relative humidity to better recover. This trend is expected to continue as the season changes.

If you are planning to travel outside of Mea County to enjoy the outdoors, it is your responsibility to know what the local fire restrictions are. Several areas on the Western Slope are under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. You can find the latest information about fire restrictions at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html or by viewing the interactive Fire Restrictions map.

A reminder, fireworks are never permitted on public land. Wood fires are never permitted anywhere on the Colorado National Monument.

The Mesa County Sheriff, BLM, and other agencies in Mesa County would like to thank the public for their cooperation in doing their part to prevent wildfires during a very long and active fire season.

Monday, September 17, 2018

One arrested in Sunday morning shooting

MESA COUNTY, Colo – A man believed to be involved in the Sunday morning incident where a person was shot and killed was arrested in Garfield County this afternoon.

Eric Julian Martinez, 30, was arrested for Assault in the First Degree (Class 3 Felony), and Criminal Extortion (Class 4 Felony).

Investigators believe Martinez entered a residence on the 3100 block of Chipeta Ave with a 26-year-old male Sunday morning. Martinez is believed to have assaulted a 27-year-old male living at the address. The 27-year-old male was taken to an area hospital for his injuries.

A 34-year-old female was present for the assault and grabbed a gun from the residence. Investigators believe a confrontation happened and the gun fired. The circumstances around this confrontation are still being investigated. The 26-year-old male suffered a gunshot wound, and died of his injuries. His identity will be released by the Mesa County Coroner’s office once an autopsy is completed and next of kin is notified.

Investigators continue to conduct interviews and evaluate evidence collected regarding the incident. The case remains under investigation.

Martinez is currently being held in the Garfield County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold until first appearance.

To view the previous press release click here.

Whitewater man wanted after running from deputies

Ryan Sanchez, 27
MCSO Photo 3-5-18
UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.

Ryan Sanchez, 27, was arrested and taken into custody after deputies spotted him near 32 Road and Patterson.

Previous:

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a wanted person.

Ryan Sanchez, 27, has three active warrants for his arrest:
  1. No Bond Felony warrant out of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Comply 
  2. $3,000 Bond warrant out of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear 
  3. $1,000 Bond warrant out of Colorado State Patrol for Failure to Appear 
He was last seen Monday morning running from deputies in the area of F ¼ Road and Irwin St.

Sanchez was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with black stripes on the back, a gray baseball hat, and washed out jeans or gray pants.

If seen, do not approach, call 911 or the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707.

Sunday, September 16, 2018

MCSO investigating a deadly shooting

3:30 pm Update:

A 27-year-old male sustained serious bodily injuries as a result of an assault associated with this incident. They were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The case is still under investigation.

Previous:

MESA COUNTY, Colo – At 8:59 am Sunday deputies responded to reports of a shooting on 3100 block of Chipeta Ave.

When deputies arrived, they found a 26-year-old male with a gunshot wound. He did not survive.

Investigators are interviewing witnesses to determine what occurred. This is believed to be an isolated incident.

The case is still under investigation.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Grand Junction man arrested in connection with 2-month-old's death

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Shaun Obyrne, 31, of Grand Junction, in relation to the death of his 2-month-old child.

Obyrne is facing one count of Child Abuse Resulting in Death (Class 2 Felony), and three counts of Child Abuse causing Serious Bodily Injury (Class 3 Felony).

On 8/27/18 at 5:17 a.m. deputies responded to a home on the 100 block of 29 ¾ road for a report of a 2-month-old boy who was not conscious and not breathing.

The infant was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital and later transferred to Children’s Hospital Colorado. The baby succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Multiple medical professionals reviewed the baby’s injuries and determined they were the not the result of accidental trauma. Older partially healed injuries on the child were also discovered and believed to have occurred on three separate occasions between 6/25/18 and 8/29/18. At the time of death, the infant had at least 17 broken ribs at three various stages of healing.

The Mesa County Coroner’s office has ruled the cause of the baby’s death as blunt force chest injuries and the manner of death as homicide.

As a result of the baby’s death, the Coroner's Office will be re-reviewing the death of a 2-year-old child that was also in Obyrne’s care. The manner of child’s death on May 6, 2018 was ruled as natural.

Both cases are still under investigation.

To report suspect child abuse in Mesa County, call 911 or the Child Protection Hotline at 242-1211. For information on any inmate in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Locator System webpage.