Sunday, April 26, 2020

Saturday Morning Stabbing

MESA COUNTY, Colo. - On Saturday morning, April 25, 2020, just before 10:00 a.m., Mesa County Deputies responded to the 600 block of Cottage Meadow Court for a reported stabbing. The victim, an adult male, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with injuries sustained from the assault.

At this time investigators do not have any suspect information due to the victim being uncooperative. The investigation thus far indicates this was an isolated incident.

If you have any information regarding this crime please call 970-242-6707.

The case remains under investigation.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Wanted man in custody after crash


MESA COUNTY, Colo - At approximately 2:00 this afternoon, Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies observed a wanted subject driving westbound on I70B near warrior way. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect fled at a high rate of speed and deputies pursued. The suspect eventually crashed on I-70 Frontage Road near Helton Drive. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested by deputies in the area. 

There were no injuries in this incident. A Mesa County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle was damaged in the pursuit.
The driver is identified as Paul Saunders, 22 of Clifton. Saunders has two active felony warrants: one out of MCSO and one out of GJPD.

Saunders is facing new charges related to today’s incident:
  • Vehicular Eluding (F5)
  • Reckless Driving
  • Obstruction a Peace Officer (M2)
  • Reckless Endangerment (M3)
  • 2 Counts of Hit and Run, Failed to Remain at the Scene of an Accident, Damage to Vehicle
  • Drove Vehicle when License under Restraint
  • Obedience to Official Traffic Control Device
  • 2 Counts of Speeding 40MPH or more over
Saunders was medically cleared on scene and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.

SVP Community Notification - Privette

Sexually Violent Predator Moves Back into County

Willie Privette Jr, 39,
MCSO Photo 4-10-19
MESA COUNTY, Colo. -- This public notice is intended to make our community aware that a registered sex offender, classified as a sexually violent predator, is moving back into Mesa County after recently completing a sentence for an unrelated crime. Further details about this offender and his new location can be found on our website. Click here and choose the Willie Privette Community Bulletin

A 'sexually violent predator' is a term used by the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board, who classifies a convicted sex offender with this additional descriptor. Willie Privette Jr., 39, of Grand Junction, has served his convicted sentence as ordered by a Judge. Willie Privette registered with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office and listed his new residence with our agency, per compliance with registration laws. 

All community notification bulletins for all current SVPs registered with our agency are on our agency website, to view them, click here. In addition, we highly recommend you watch a 12-minute video that talks about SVPs and all registered sex offenders, resources, and other useful information specific to Mesa County. For current information on all registered sex offenders in Mesa County, visit our website.

If you have information regarding the current criminal activity of this or any other offender, please call 911 for an emergency.  If you observe this offender engaging in any high risk or inappropriate behavior, please contact the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, patrol units, by calling 911 or (970) 242-6707. If you have questions or need education handouts, please contact Mesa County Sex Offender Registrar LeeAnn Camp at (970) 244-3206, or her direct supervisor Sgt. Justin Bynum (970) 244-3973.

Most sex crimes are never reported and most offenders are never detected. The greatest risk of sex offense is from people you know. The information provided herein (on the embedded community bulletin) is current and accurate as of the date, but is subject to change.

The purpose of this notification is to enhance public safety and protection. Vigilantism, or use of this information to harass, threaten or intimidate anyone associated with this notification will not be tolerated. 

This law enforcement agency has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may live (however, we make it public information so citizens can be aware and educate themselves). Unless court restrictions exist, they are constitutionally free to live wherever they choose. Sex offenders have always lived in our community, but they were not required to notify law enforcement of their residence until registration laws were implemented pursuant to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. Law enforcement may now share that information with members of the community, and in the case of sexually violent predators, law enforcement must actively notify citizens. This blog posting is only one of the means we are getting this information out to citizens of Mesa County.


Monday, April 13, 2020

Grand Junction man arrested after early morning robbery

Terrance Chatman, 27
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo – On April 13, 2020 at approximately 12:50 a.m. Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Circle K Gas station at 3202 E Rd for a robbery in progress.

A passerby noticed a masked person in the store with a rifle appearing to rob the store and called 911.

A deputy quickly arrived in the area and observed the masked person described get into a black Jeep Wrangler and drive off heading south on 32 1/8th Road from E Road. Deputies pursued, observing the vehicle run through a red light and driving recklessly.

The Grand Junction Police Department and Colorado State Patrol assisted in locating the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle ultimately crashed on the 400 block of Appaloosa Lane. The driver fled on foot and was located hiding next to a nearby canal. The subject resisted arrest before being placed into custody.

Terrance Chatman, 27, of Grand Junction is facing the following charges:
  • Aggravated Robbery (F3)
  • Felony Menacing (F5)
  • Possession of a Defaced Firearm (M1)
  • Vehicular Eluding (F5)
  • Resisting arrest (M2)
  • Violation of a Restraining Order. (M3)
  • Obstruction of Telephone Service (M1)
  • Reckless Driving
  • Possession of Weapons by Previous Offenders (F5)
  • 1st Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (F4)
Evidence related to the robbery was recovered.

Chatman was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital and was medically cleared before being transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.

Hiker rescued after four days lost, one person found dead


MESA COUNTY, Colo – Smoke from a fire helped rescue a hiker and two dogs who spent several days lost in the canyons between Glade Park and Rabbit Valley looking for help for his friend, who died after falling into a canyon.

On Friday, April 10, 2020, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a group of four hikers saw smoke and heard a person yelling in Mee Canyon. The group had no way to reach the hiker who needed help, so they immediately called 911.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa County Search and Rescue, and Bureau of Land Management quickly responded and began looking for the lost hiker using the GSP coordinates from the 911 call.

Centurylink’s helicopter flew Mesa County Search and Rescue crews into the canyon due to the remote location and rough terrain. As they neared where the group of hikers had called 911, the helicopter crew spotted a smoke column across the canyon and the hiker waving his arms. Medical personnel treated the individual. He was physically exhausted and dehydrated, but otherwise in good health.

Mesa County Search and Rescue
 at Mee Canyon Trailhead
The 31-year-old hiker told deputies he and a friend are from out of state and had spent the last several weeks visiting national parks. Earlier this week, they decided to go on a short hike in Knowles Canyon with their two dogs when they became lost. They had day packs with water and snacks but didn’t have a cell phone signal to call for help.

After two and a half days of hiking, the hiker told rescuers his 32-year-old friend fell into a canyon with his two dogs. Unable to check on his companion and not knowing the extent of injuries, he continued hiking for another day and a half to seek help. After running out of food and water, he used a lighter to start a fire to signal for help. A decision rescue crews determined ultimately saved his life.

The Mee Canyon Trailhead had been closed up until that morning. It’s scheduled to be open the Friday before Easter, the morning a group of four hikers decided to use the trail. Had the gate not been opened for day hikers, the individual may not have been found.

He was found approximately four miles from the Knowles Canyon trailhead where their hike began four days earlier. However, because of the topography and rugged terrain, rescue crews estimate he had hiked at least ten to fifteen miles before he was rescued.

View of Mee Canyon
from Centurylink's helicopter
Based on the information the he provided, rescue crews found where his friend and two dog had fallen roughly one mile from the initial rescue site in Mee Canyon. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old man was found deceased. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office reports he died instantly when he fell approximately 60 to 80 feet down a slickrock formation. The cause of death is multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death is accident.

Search and rescue crews also located the two dogs, which had minor injuries. Mesa County Animal Services, with the help of the Grand Valley Veterinary Emergency Center and CenturyLink’s helicopter, assisted in rescuing the dogs.

The two-day rescue and recovery mission involved more than 30 search and rescue volunteers, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management, Centurylink, Mesa County Animal Services, veterinarians from Grand Valley Veterinary Emergency Center, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate program, and the Mesa County Coroner’s Office.

Mesa County Search and Rescue
 at Mee Canyon Trailhead
Our thoughts are with the family and those affected by this tragic incident. Please remember when recreating to tell someone where you plan to hike, when you plan to return, and always take supplies such as food, water, and a navigational instrument such as a map, compass or GPS device.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

#Update and Correction: Early morning burglary ends in serious crash

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The investigation into the events that led up to the fatal crash the morning of April 5, 2020, remain under investigation.

This is an active and complex investigation involving multiple jurisdictions.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office released initial information on the morning of the crash in a press release. As the investigation has developed, we have learned the initial release of information wasn’t correct. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office wants to correct that information now and apologize for the incorrect information being released.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office initially reported the fatal crash happened before deputies had a chance to return to their patrol vehicles to follow. Based on the accident investigation being conducted by the Grand Junction Police Department, we now know the deputies had returned to their vehicles and had begun to pursue the stolen vehicle.

We continue to investigate the events that ended with this crash and deeply regret this tragic loss of life.




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Previous: 4/5/20

Update from the Grand Junction Police Department


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Previous: ** Please note information in the below press release is not correct, for the most current and accurate information please view the updated release**

4/5/20
MESA COUNTY, Colo – At approximately 5:55 a.m. Sunday, Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies received a report of a burglary at a home on the 600 block of 30 Road. The homeowner reported someone stole their car keys from inside their home and was driving away with their 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A short time later, two deputies spotted the SUV parked at the Alta gas station at 30 Road and I-70B. As the deputies approached the stolen vehicle on foot, it took off westbound on Frontage Road at a high rate of speed. Before deputies could return to their patrol cars to follow the stolen SUV, it rolled and the driver was ejected at I-70B and North Ave.

The male driver was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

This case remains under investigation. The Grand Junction Police Department is assisting with the crash investigation.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Arrest made in I Road Homicide

Mark Anthony Foster, 61
MCSO Photo
MESA COUNTY, Colo – Mesa County Sheriff's Office Investigators have obtained an arrest warrant for Mark Anthony Foster, 61, in connection with the October 23rd, 2019 homicide of 59-year-old Roxine Foster.

Foster is facing the following charges:
  • Murder in the First Degree (Class 1 Felony)
  • Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (Class 4 Felony)
  • Domestic Violence
The afternoon of October 23rd, 2019 deputies responded to a 911 call from Foster advising his wife had been shot by an unknown person. Roxine Foster was found deceased when deputies arrived at the couple’s property on the 2200 block of I Road.

Foster was arrested and taken into custody Tuesday evening. He is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold.

For previous press releases about this case click here.