Posts tagged Boulder County District Attorney
Suspect in nearly a dozen robberies arrested
Jan 2nd
Boulder police have arrested the suspect investigators believe is responsible for a string of robberies in the city and in Boulder County. Alishan Yapoujian (DOB 11/23/1988) is in the Boulder County Jail after being arrested on a charge of Aggravated Robbery.
Boulder detectives have been working with other law enforcement agencies during the investigations. On New Year’s Eve, the Colorado State Patrol located the black Chevy Blazer that Boulder police were looking for in connection with a robbery at the Conoco gas station, located at 4742 Table Mesa Drive, and another gas station located in the county, which occurred on Dec. 29, 2013. The vehicle was located in Niwot, CO.
Detectives identified a male they believed was the getaway driver of the Blazer in the Conoco robbery. He was cooperative with police and investigators were able to obtain information about the robbery suspect, Alishan Yapoujian. Police are not identifying the suspected getaway driver at this time.
On Dec. 31, 2013, Boulder police partnered with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to execute a search warrant of Yapoujian’s residence, along with a warrant for his arrest, in the 6300 block of Arapahoe.
Police believe Yapoujian is responsible for 10 robberies in the city of Boulder, as well as two other robberies in Boulder County. Those cases are still being investigated. The Boulder Police Department has been working closely with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, and it’s likely that more charges will be filed against Yapoujian. We also anticipate further arrests in this series of robberies.
Boulder police are grateful for the assistance of the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol, the Lafayette Police Department and the Longmont Police Department.
Detective Kurt Foster is the lead investigator in the robbery cases. Anyone with information may contact him at 303-441-4329. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
— CITY–
Boulder police: More info on officer-involved shooting
Nov 25th
The Boulder Police Department today is releasing additional details about an officer-involved fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday, November 24th at approximately 12:46 pm.
On 11/24/2013 at approximately 7:30 am, officers were dispatched to a potential domestic situation at 3009 Madison, apartment J208, Boulder, Colorado. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, 41 year old Kirsten Stenseng, outside of the apartment. It was the victim’s mother who had called police, concerned over the welfare of her daughter. However, Stenseng advised the officers that nothing had happened between her and her boyfriend (suspect). Officers attempted to contact the suspect, but no one would answer the door to the apartment. Stenseng stated that she was leaving and officers observed her drive from the scene. Other than a restraining order violation, officers did not have probable cause to believe any other crime had occurred. The suspect could be charged with the restraining order violation at a later time.
On the same date at approximately 12:30 pm, the department received a call from a neighbor claiming the suspect had been yelling and throwing things outside the apartment. The caller also observed the suspect with a large knife stabbing a wooden post outside the apartment. The manner in which the suspect was yelling led the caller to believe the victim was in the apartment. He was therefore concerned for her safety.
Officers were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, responding officers were unable to locate anyone outside the apartment. They could not find the victim, but did locate her vehicle, a gold Cadillac, which was back in the parking lot outside the apartment. Based on information from the caller, and the fact that victim’s car was in the parking lot, the officers had reason to believe the victim was in the apartment and may be in danger.
Officers put together an entry team of four officers and attempted to make contact at the apartment. After several tries and not getting a response, the decision was made to forcibly open the door to check on persons inside. Soon after getting the door opened, but prior to getting inside, officers observed the male suspect start to run toward the door with a knife in each hand. Several commands to “get down” and possibly “drop the knife” were given to the suspect. The suspect quickly ran toward the officers while holding the knives in a high position. One officer had to deflect the suspect with a ballistic shield as he ran past him and toward Officer Vincent Gallerani. Officer Gallerani was unable to retreat before the suspect was upon him. Thinking the first officer had been injured and he was about to be stabbed, Officer Gallerani fired three shots at very close range, striking the suspect at least two times. The suspect immediately fell while still holding the knives. The first officer then kicked the knives out of the suspect’s hands. See attached photos.
After the shooting, it was learned that Stenseng was safe in a nearby apartment with another resident. No one else was located in the suspect’s apartment.
The rifle used in the shooting was a Heckler and Kock (HK), model 416, .223 caliber rifle. It is a department owned SWAT issued rifle.
During the follow-up investigation, threatening comments directed at Stenseng were found posted on social media by the suspect. One comment indicated that he would kill Stenseng.
The suspect was a 42 year old white male wearing a black t-shirt, khaki pants, and body armor, the type one might wear for dirt bike riding or paint ball games. He had shoulder pads and a breast pad, elbow pads, and shin guards on. He was also wearing furry Ugg boots. Suspect was later pronounced dead at the hospital. We are withholding the suspect’s name until released by the Coroner’s office.
“It is always unfortunate when an officer has to use deadly force and it is a very emotional experience for any officer who is put in this situation,” stated Police Chief Mark Beckner. “We are very thankful none of our officers were injured by this attack. Additionally, our condolences go out to the suspect’s family for their loss. From what we know right now, it appears as though the officers took reasonable measures to protect everyone’s safety, but were forced into a very difficult and life threatening situation.”
The officer who fired the shots is Officer Vincent Gallerani, a 14 year veteran of the department. Officer Gallerani is a team leader on the department’s SWAT team and well trained in officer safety and entry techniques. Officer Gallerani received a Chief’s Commendation earlier this year for his role in successfully handling an incident at the police department involving an individual who appeared might have an explosive device.
The officer who used a shield to defend himself from attack is Officer Nick Smetzer, a 12 year veteran and also a member of the SWAT team. Other officers in the immediate area at the time of the shooting were Officer Ryan Lord, a 13 year veteran, and Officer Jenny Paddock, also a 17 year veteran of the department.
The Boulder County Investigative Team is continuing the investigation and will present its results to the Boulder County District Attorney once completed. Officer Gallerani will remain on paid leave pending the completion of the investigation.
— CITY–
Murder investigation of CU student, Sid Wells, nears 30 years; suspect remains on the run (or dead)
Jul 31st
August 1, 2013 will mark the 30-year anniversary of the shooting death of Sid Wells, a 22-year-old journalism student enrolled at the University of Colorado. The case received prominent media attention because at the time of his death, Wells was dating actor Robert Redford’s daughter, Shauna.
Wells had been shot in the head, and was found dead inside his Spanish Towers condo by his brother on August 1, 1983. Police suspected Wells’ roommate, Thayne Smika, and arrested him a few months after the homicide when investigators linked him to the murder. However, Smika was never prosecuted because the district attorney at the time, Alex Hunter, declined to take the case. Smika left the area and in 1986, his abandoned car was found in Beverly Hills, CA.
In 2011, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office agreed to review the case and approved an arrest affidavit for Smika. Unable to locate Smika, police are again asking for the public’s help finding him. Investigators believe Smika is living under an assumed identity and have contacted Smika’s relatives (several of whom still live in Colorado) in attempts to find out where he is and what identity he has been using. Smika’s relatives have not provided any helpful information to the Boulder Police Department.
Deputy Chief Dave Hayes, who was one of the first detectives to investigate the case in 1983, is hoping that someone can provide information about Smika’s whereabouts. “It’s past time for justice for Sid Wells and his family,” said Hayes. “Thayne Smika escaped a first degree murder charge, and has likely been living a life of freedom while the Wells’ family has been grieving for three decades.”
Investigators are still looking for Thayne Smika and are asking anyone with information about Smika or where he might be living to contact them. Detective Tom Dowd may be reached at 303-441-3385. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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