Tuesday, February 18, 2020

One arrested after carjacking incident on I-70

2/19/2020 Update: Suspect in Tuesday morning’s carjacking identified

Justin Bopp, 33
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo -  Justin Bopp, 33, of Grand Junction was medically cleared and released from the hospital yesterday. Bopp was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.

He is facing the following charges:
  • Robbery (Class 3 Felony)
  • Crimes Against at Risk Person – Robbery (Class 3 Felony)
  • Second Degree Assault with Injury – Intent to Cause Bodily Injury (Class 4 Felony)
  • First Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Uses Vehicle in Commission of a Crime (Class 4 Felony)
  • Theft $750-2,000 (M1)
  • Theft Less than $50
  • Reckless Endangerment (M3)
Deputies have located the outstanding female witness and were able to speak with her.  Deputies have determined she is in fact a victim in this case.

This case is still under investigation.


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2/18/2020 Previous:

MESA COUNTY, Colo - At approximately 4:30 this morning Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a carjacking near the Beavertail Tunnel on I-70.

The victim told deputies he saw two people, a man and a woman, on the side of the road, who looked like they had just been in a car accident. When he stopped to help them, the man assaulted him and stole his car. The female did not get in the car, and has not been found. The victim was transported to the hospital.

Deputies later found a white Chevy Blazer rolled onto its side at a rest stop just west of the Beavertail Tunnel. This is believed to be the car accident that preceded this incident.

At approximately 5:00 am, the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a crash at 30 Road and Patterson Road involving the stolen car and another vehicle. The male driver was arrested. He was transported to the hospital.

Charges related to today incident are currently being investigated.

Deputies would like to speak with the female as a possible witness to this incident. If you have information about her whereabouts please contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707.