Tips help link 11 burglary and theft cases to Grand Junction man

Shaun Crowell, 40
MCSO Photo

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 Shaun Crowell, 40, of Clifton was taken into custody after a warrant was obtained for his arrest in connection to multiple recent burglaries and thefts.

Crowell is facing the following charges:

• 7 counts of Second degree Burglary (F5) 
• 2 counts of Theft $750-$2,000 (M1) 
• Theft $50-$300 (M3) 
• Theft $20,000 - $100,000 (Class 4 Felony) 
• 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, less than $300 (M3) 
• Criminal Mischief $1,000 or more less than $5,000 (F6) 
• Aggravated Motor vehicle theft $20,000 or more (F4) 
• Second Degree Criminal Trespass (M3) 
• 2 Counts Possession of Burglary tools (F5) 

The joint investigation with Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Junction Police Department investigators revealed at least 7 burglary cases and 4 theft cases, totaling $80,000 in stolen goods and $12,000 in property damage linked to Crowell. The crimes took place at several businesses in Grand Junction, unincorporated Mesa County and one residence between September 4th, 2018 and October 18th, 2018.

Investigators recovered several stolen items while executing a search warrant of Crowell’s property. So far, over $28,000 worth of stolen property has been recovered. Investigators are in the process of contacting the owners of the recovered property.

Surveillance photo

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for sending in tips and their help in identifying the suspect through published surveillance photos.

The case is still under investigation. Investigators are reviewing evidence and interviewing potential witnesses to determine if anyone else was involved.

Stolen trailer

Investigators are still looking for a trailer believed stolen from a residence on the 3100 block of Chipeta Ave. It is described as a black metal 10 x 4.5 trailer with red wheels and a red tongue and ball hitch.

If you have seen this trailer or have information about this case contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 244-3267.

Crowell is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.

One arrested after early morning shooting

Photo of MCSO Patrol Car
involved in incident

CLIFTON, Colo – At 2:07 Tuesday morning, Mesa County Sheriff deputies initiated a traffic stop on a white GMC truck in the area of 30 Road and D Road. The vehicle did not stop and jumped a curb in a nearby neighborhood. Deputies continued to follow the vehicle as it traveled through Clifton.

A short time later, deputies attempted to stop the same vehicle in the area of Lombardy Lane and it failed to stop. Deputies pursued. The driver of the vehicle fired several rounds at the pursuing deputies while driving.

A bullet went through the windshield of a Mesa County Sheriff patrol vehicle and hit the dashboard on the driver’s side. The deputy sustained a minor injury.

Deputies performed a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) to bring the vehicle to a stop in the area of 33 ½ Road and D ½ Road. Less lethal rounds were deployed. A female passenger was detained and sustained minor injuries. She was treated on scene by medical personnel.

The male driver fled on foot. As a result, a community notification was sent out to 224 homes in the area of 32 ½ to 33 ½ road and D ½ to E Road with instructions to shelter-in-place. Members of the Mesa County Sheriff and Grand Junction Police SWAT Teams responded to help search for the suspect. Colorado State Patrol, Fruita Police Department and Palisade Police Department also assisted.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. the male suspect was located in a garage on the 3300 block of D ½ Road and was taken into custody without incident.

The shelter-in-place was lifted at 4:05 a.m. D ½ Road remained closed for several hours between 33 and 33 ½ Road while the incident was investigated and evidence was collected. It is now open.

The 28-year-old female passenger is cooperating with the investigation. She was interviewed by investigators and has been released.

The male driver is identified as 26-year-old Gabriel Milligan of Grand Junction. Milligan was arrested on the following charges:

• Criminal Attempt to Commit First Degree Murder (Class 2 Felony) 
• First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer Threatening with a Deadly Weapon (Class 3 Felony) 
• Second Degree Assault with Injury with a Deadly Weapon (Class 4 Felony) 
• Felony Menacing (Class 5 Felony) 
• Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender (Class 6 Felony) 
• Vehicular Eluding (Class 5 Felony) 
• Illegal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle (Class 5 Felony) 
• Trespassing related charges 
• Traffic related charges 

This case is still under investigation.

Milligan is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our jail, visit our Inmate Locator.

A booking photo will be released when available.

MCSO investigates escape attempt from Mesa County Detention Facility

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo – Saturday evening, October 20, 2018, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible escape attempt at the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Deputies investigated and discovered one four-person cell had been damaged in an apparent attempt to escape. Inside the cell, deputies found a bunk leg had been broken off and used to chip away at the concrete floor and the ground underneath.

All four inmates who occupied the cell were immediately secured and are now being housed in another part of the facility.

The compromised area has been sealed off from the rest of the facility while this incident is being investigated. Repairs to the damaged cell are already scheduled. The Mesa County Detention Facility remains secure.

This is an ongoing and active investigation. Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and evaluating evidence. The appropriate charges are still being evaluated for those involved.

Deputy involved in officer involved shooting identified

Deputy Troy Jones

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is identifying the deputy involved in the officer involved shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of October 18, 2018.

The deputy involved in the shooting is Deputy Troy Jones. Deputy Jones is a five-year veteran of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, who has worked as a detentions and patrol deputy. During the incident, Deputy Jones sustained injuries to his hand, for which he was treated at the hospital, and released.

As per standard protocol for these type of incidents, Deputy Jones remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation that takes place independently of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) investigation.

The officer involved shooting remains under investigation by the Critical Incident Response Team. For the latest information about the CIRT investigation click here.

Join Mesa County Search and Rescue!!

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.  

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 29, 2017.

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. 31st)

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.

Crime Stoppers: Crime of the Week

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - This week the Grand Junction Police Department needs your help in locating the suspects involved in a theft from auto.

At 10:50 p.m. on Monday, August 6th an Officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Myrrh Street where the victim reported that his black sports bag and blue sports bag had been removed from the bed of his truck. These bags contained 8 Rawlings baseball bats, 6 Rawlings baseball gloves, 2 sets of shin guards, a chest protector and a few softballs. This equipment was used to coach Special Olympic teens. The total estimated property loss is over $700.

If you know the identity or whereabouts of the suspects 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# 2018-45952