Friday, October 30, 2020

Fire Restrictions Lifted in Mesa County

MESA COUNTY, Colo - The Mesa County Sheriff, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office are lifting current fire restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2020. 

More mild temperatures, recent snowfall, and the shorter days of the changing seasons have helped ease the fire danger of this historic fire season. Longer and colder nights have significantly improved the moisture levels in vegetation responsible for rapid-fire growth.

Agencies implement fire restrictions based on specific criteria to include the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors, and firefighting resource availability. While conditions permit fire restrictions to be lifted, Mesa County is still experiencing extreme and exceptional drought conditions. Community members can significantly reduce the potential for human-caused fires by being proactive and cautious with activities that could ignite a wildfire.
Preventing wildfires:
  • Never leave a fire unattended
  • Ensure fire pits and campfires are completely out and cold to the touch
  • Properly dispose of cigarettes
  • When pulling a trailer, make sure the chains and other metal parts aren’t dragging
  • Burning trash is NEVER permitted
Also, consider creating a defensible space around your home and take this time to update your family’s emergency kit. Even homes in urban areas are susceptible to wildfire. Learn more at www.ready.gov/wildfires

Conditions will continue to be monitored and restrictions will be adjusted should conditions change.
A reminder, fireworks are never permitted on federal land. Wood fires are never permitted anywhere on the Colorado National Monument. For the latest information about fire restrictions in Mesa County and surrounding communities, view Interactive Fire Restrictions Map at bit.ly/Fire_Restrictions

We thank the public for doing their part to prevent wildfires during this historic fire season.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Climber rescued after fall in Little Dominguez Canyon

Mesa County Search and Rescue
carries injured climber 
Climber rescued from fall
MESA COUNTY, Colo -  At approximately 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center was notified by Delta County’s Communications Center a climber was in need of help. It had received a 911 text message about a climber who had fallen in the Little Dominguez Canyon area.

The adult male fell about 30-40 feet while repelling down a 200-foot cliff in the area of Rose Creek.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Mesa County Search and Rescue immediately responded to the area. The two people with the injured climber helped alert Centurylink’s helicopter to their remote location. 

Helicopter helps in rescue effort
Because the area was difficult to access, the helicopter transported search and rescue volunteers and deputies into the bottom of the canyon. Rescue crews then had to hike about a mile in steep terrain to reach the climber. The climber was carried to CareFlight waiting nearby. He was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A second CareFlight helicopter transported rescue crews back out of the area. In total, the technical rescue took about 9 hours.

Do you have a COSAR card?

Search and Rescue is a free service in Mesa County. If you plan on recreating outdoors, you are encouraged to get a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. If you ever need search and rescue services it helps reimburse the cost to our local volunteer teams.  Learn more at https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-programs/search-and-rescue-fund.

*video available on Facebook. 

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

CIRT investigation: Arrest made in connection with OIS




The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Adam James Rodriguez, 29
MCSO Photo 2-4-20
MESA COUNTY, Colo – The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team made an arrest related to the incident that occurred on Sunday, October 11, 2020.

Adam James Rodriguez, 29, of Clifton was released from the hospital and taken into custody.

Rodriguez was arrested on the following charges:

  • Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (Class 4 Felony)
  • 2 counts of Assault in the Second Degree on a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony)
  • 3 counts of  Felony Menacing (Class 5 Felony)
  • 2 counts of Vehicular Eluding (Class 4 Felony)
  • Reckless Endangerment (Class 2 Misdemeanor)
  • Resisting arrest (Class 2 Misdemeanor)
  • Reckless Driving (Class 2 Misdemeanor Traffic Offense)
  • Hit and Run (Class 2 Misdemeanor Traffic Offense)
  • Hit and Run (Class 2 Misdemeanor Traffic Offense)
  • Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (Class 4 Felony)
  • Crime of Violence (Sentencing Enhancer)
  • Crime of Violence (Sentencing Enhancer)

All documents in this case have been sealed by the court. This incident remains under investigation by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team.

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

To view previous releases about this incident click here.

Sunday, October 11, 2020

CIRT activated to investigate an officer-involved shooting




The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following preliminary information on behalf of the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

All officer-involved shootings in Mesa County are investigated by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which is comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Corrections, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation. CIRT is activated when a law enforcement agency is involved in a critical incident to ensure an independent investigation. Because Grand Junction Police Department personnel was involved in this incident, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office is leading this investigation on behalf of CIRT.

At approximately 12:36 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2020, the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center received a 911 call regarding the possible location of a stolen vehicle.

A short time later, officers with the Grand Junction Police Department located the vehicle in the area of 29 1/2 Road and Parkway Drive.

While attempting to contact the driver of the stolen vehicle, the vehicle struck an officer, and an officer-involved shooting occurred.

One suspect was shot and transported to the hospital and is currently being treated for what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The Grand Junction Police officer struck by the suspect’s vehicle was treated on scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

Law enforcement continues to process the scene of this incident for additional evidence. Residents in the area may see an increased presence of law enforcement personnel over the next several hours.

Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will conduct interviews of all witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days. Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.

The Grand Junction Police Department will be responsible for releasing the names of the involved officers. As per their agency’s policy, the officers will be placed on administrative leave.

Investigators are seeking information and video of this incident. Anyone with information or video of this incident, please call the witness tip line at (970) 244-3526.

We thank the community for their patience and trust to allow us to ensure a thorough and complete investigation into this incident.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Priceless heirloom one of hundreds of stolen property recovered in weeks-long investigation

Samantha Berryman holds a family heirloom recovered by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.

Samantha Berryman first started playing the violin in middle school. It was her grandmother's idea for her to learn the string instrument. However, Samantha didn’t learn to play on just any violin, but rather a very special one with a mother-of-pearl flower inlay and a horsehair bow. The antique French violin first belonged to her grandmother's great aunt. It was passed down through generations of Samantha's family and then onto her.

Now, as an adult, the violin has become more than a musical instrument to Samantha. It became a meaningful connection to her past. Even more so, after the grandparents who raised her passed away.

In July of 2020, the priceless family heirloom was stolen—Samantha worried it was gone forever. In September, Samantha got a call from the Mesa County Sheriff's Office that her violin had been found.

"It's a part of me, part of my family, my history," said Samantha after being reunited with the family heirloom. "I thought I never would get it back."

The violin was one of hundreds of stolen property recovered as part of an extensive investigation by several Mesa County Sheriff's Office units and agency partners into recent burglaries and car thefts in Mesa County.

Weeks of investigative work led to eight arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles, defaced firearms, and tens of thousands of dollars' worth of stolen property—items, like Samantha's antique violin.

Patrol vehicles on Mitchell Road 
Mid-July, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a series of storage unit burglaries and auto thefts. Deputies and investigators combed through evidence, surveillance video, identified potential suspects, and developed information that ultimately led to an apartment on the 400 block of Coronado Court. There, investigators located what is believed to be stolen property and illegal narcotics.

That residence led to more potential suspects and the identification of two more homes where stolen property was stored. The properties are located on the 200 block of Mitchell Road and the 300 block of 27 ½ Road.

Investigators believe individuals would steal property or cars and take it to the identified residences and trade for service, money, or illegal drugs.

Here’s what deputies have recovered:
MCSO Deputy carries property
believed to be stolen

  • 4 stolen vehicles
  • 2 trailers believed to be stolen
  • More than 40 unlawfully possessed guns - some of which were also identified as stolen or defaced
  • Illegal narcotics - distribution amounts
  • Hundreds of stolen items, including tools, solar panels, batteries, jewelry, and an antique violin.
  • Evidence of illegal title transfers
Investigators so far have linked the stolen property to at least 25 cases of storage unit, residential and business burglaries, and auto thefts and car break-ins. They originated from multiple jurisdictions on the Western Slope, with one case dating back to 2007.

As a result of this investigation, eight people face various charges that range from theft, burglary, unlawful possession of weapons, and illegal narcotics.

This investigation is still active and ongoing. Deputies and investigators continue to interview involved persons and work to identify more related cases. More charges and arrests are anticipated.

A complex case of this magnitude wouldn't be possible without our partner law enforcement agencies and community members' help. Colorado State Patrol, Grand Junction Police Department, Fruita Police Department, Western Colorado Drug Task Force, Mesa County Code Enforcement, and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Investigations, Crime Reduction, and Street Crime Units all worked on various aspects of this investigation.

Investigators and deputies catalog
 potential evidence
 
The work isn’t over yet. Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators are diligently working to reunite the stolen property found with their rightful owner, people like Samantha. It’s a slow and challenging process. Investigators rely on photos, serial numbers, and identifying marks reported to law enforcement to determine the owners of the items found. Items without such documentation may never be matched with a stolen property case.

A good practice for community members is to document belongings, keep detailed records of serial numbers, identifying marks, and photos of valuable items. If your items ever get stolen, that documentation can help law enforcement return it to you if found. To report a theft, call non-emergency dispatch at (970) 242-6707 or make a report online. 

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Update: Body of a child found in canal


3-year-old Adelesia
Answers to Addie Rae
#UPDATE 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office took the extraordinary measure to drain the Grand Valley Irrigation Company canal. As the water level dropped, Centurylink’s helicopter assisting the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office search effort, flew above the waterway to search for any sign of the missing child.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. Sunday, the search crews in the helicopter spotted something in the water. Deputies and investigators converged on the area to investigate further. The body of a small child was found in the canal near 29 Road matching the description of Adelesia. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the deceased and will release their name once next-of-kin is notified.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is still seeking any video that may help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. If you have information, please call non-emergency dispatch at (970) 242-6707.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all search and rescue volunteers, Citizens on Patrol volunteers, law enforcement partners, the Grand Valley Irrigation Company, and the community for their help in this search effort. The outpouring of community support during this search effort has been unprecedented.

The family wants to thank the community for their support and compassion and has asked for privacy during this time. A Go Fund Me account has been sent up in the family’s name.

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Previous:

Grand Valley Canal being drained in search for missing 3-year-old


MESA COUNTY, Colo – At 6:13 p.m. Saturday the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a child missing.

3-year-old Adelesia, who answers to Addie Rae, was last seen at 6:00 p.m. at a residence on Orchard Ave between 29 ½ Road and 30 Road. She was wearing a tan shirt with an orange fox and orange and blue pants. It is believed she wandered off.

Deputies and family members immediately began searching the surrounding area. GJPD officers and GJPD’s K-9 unit, CSP, and more than 20 Mesa County Search and Rescue volunteers also joined the search for the child.

A Community Notification was sent to area residents. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office also notified local media and used social media alert features to spread the word. The circumstances of this incident did not meet the qualifications to issue an amber alert.

While searching the immediate area, deputies and search and rescue volunteers, also searched several miles of the Grand Valley Irrigation Canal. Deputies found evidence Adelesia had been near the canal.

To rule out the possibility the child may have fallen into the canal, today, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Grand Valley Irrigation Company to begin the process of temporally draining the canal. This includes the Mesa County ditch mainline, the Independent Ranchman’s ditch, and the Grand Valley Irrigation Company’s Highline canal and Mainline. This is a temporary shutdown, so waterways can be searched for the missing child. This is a slow process; it could take 48 hours to drain enough to search.

While the canal is drained, the search in the surrounding community continues. Saturday, several miles around the canal, and the home where she was last seen, were searched extensively. Deputies and Mesa County Search and Rescue volunteers are searching again today.

Thank you to the countless community members who have shared Addie Rae’s information, called in tips, and helped with the search.

If you see Addie Rae or know of her whereabouts, please call 911 immediately.