Posts tagged investigators
Serial killer identified 4 years after his death
0June 10, 2013
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its “cold case” investigation into the 1982 murder of Susan Becker. Sheriff’s investigators, with the support of the District Attorney’s Office, have closed the investigation with a case status of “death of offender”. The suspect, John Agrue, died in 2009 after an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Over the years, detectives have stayed in contact with the Becker family and spoke with them last week, providing them with the details that led to the final resolution of the investigation.
Case Summary
On July 1, 1982, several fishermen discovered the decomposing body of a female in a ravine near the 32,000 block of Boulder Canyon Drive in unincorporated Boulder County. Investigators found that the victim, 20 year-old Susan Becker, had sustained 13 stab wounds to her torso and neck and died from her injuries. A black handled knife, believed to have belonged to Ms. Becker was found near her right hand; it was later determined that the knife had not caused the wounds to Ms. Becker. The body was clothed at the time that it was discovered and was covered with a towel, presumably placed there by her assailant. Some of Ms. Becker’s personal effects were found in a day pack with the body.
Ms. Becker was raised in the Boulder area and frequently spent time in Boulder Canyon sunbathing. She was last seen in Boulder by a friend sometime during the morning of June 20, 1982.
At the time, Sheriff’s detectives were unable to identify a suspect in Ms. Becker’s death. Mr. John Agrue figured as a person of interest in the investigation, however, declined to cooperate with investigators. His extended family was interviewed by detectives, and statements indicating that Agrue had hiked in the area where Becker’s body was found were provided, however, there was not enough evidence to link him to Ms. Becker’s murder.
John Agrue had been previously convicted in the 1966 murder of his 14 year old sister-in-law, Susan Marino, in Illinois He was paroled in January 1982 after serving 16 years of a 20-50 year indeterminate sentence and moved to Boulder, and then to Longmont shortly thereafter.
On July 9, 1982, 94-year-old Orma Smith’s body was found in the Big Elks Meadows area, south of Estes Park, Colorado. Ms. Smith resided in Longmont; John Agrue was her neighbor at the time of her death. Larimer County Sheriff’s investigators were unable to link him to Ms. Smith’s murder at the time.
On July 15, 1982, Agrue attempted to abduct a 26 year-old female student at knife point while she was starting her car on the University of Colorado Campus in Boulder. The student was able to flag down a passing University employee who rendered assistance. Agrue was arrested and convicted of the crime.
After serving his sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections for the attempted abduction, Agrue was returned to Illinois in 1984 to complete his sentence for the murder of his sister in law, his parole having been revoked following his conviction in Colorado. After his release in 1989, he lived in Illinois, where he died in 2009 after an accidental drug overdose. Subsequent to his death, relatives discovered numerous women’s purses, jewelry, and other effects in his home, along with newspaper articles about the attempted abduction of the 26 year-old female, the Smith homicide, and Becker homicide.
In June 2010, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office announced that advances in DNA evidence and comparison (a technology unavailable in 1982) definitively linked Argue to Orma Smith’s murder. Boulder County investigators, working with Larimer County and Illinois law enforcement officials,
re-evaluated Agrue’s potential involvement in Ms. Becker’s death.
There were a number of similarities in the three homicides and the attempted abduction: three of the four involved young women (Ms. Smith being the exception), their purses or personal effects were taken by the suspect, and all involved the use of a knife. The three homicide victims died from multiple stab wounds inflicted upon the same area of the body; Ms. Marino’s ,Ms. Becker’s and Mrs. Smith’s bodies were found in or near mountain streams.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office recruited the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Behavioral Analysis Unit, presenting them with the case facts from the four investigations. Upon review, the FBI’s experts concluded that it was highly probable that Mr. Agrue was responsible for Susan Becker’s murder. Detectives shared the case facts and the FBI experts’ opinions with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and solicited their opinion. They agreed that there was probable cause to believe that Mr. Agrue was responsible for Susan Becker’s death and, that if he were still alive, they would pursue murder charges against him.
The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is also investigating the potential of Mr. Agrue having been involved in other homicides as a serial killer.
Sheriff’s office release
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Cell phone camera captures “mugshot” of assault suspect
0May 30, 2013
Boulder police ask for public help to identify assault suspect
Boulder police are investigating an assault which took place on May 11, 2013, at 12:53 a.m. The incident occurred in the area of Broadway and Walnut as a group of four females and one male were walking together on Broadway. One of the females was injured during the altercation.
This goofball allegedly sent a young to the hospital after attacking her on the corner of Walnut and B’way. He may have been drinking.
Witnesses say an unknown male, who was smoking in front of the Walnut Brewery, made inappropriate remarks about the women and began following the group as he continued to yell obscenities at them. The male in the group told police that he told the suspect to walk away and leave them alone.
The 21-year-old female victim says the suspect then flicked a lit cigarette towards her, hitting her in the face. The suspect then grabbed the victim by her shirt collar and threw her into a cement business sign at the corner of Broadway and Walnut. The victim suffered facial injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The male friend and the male suspect then began fighting with each other. One of the other women in the group was able to take a photo of the suspect with her cell phone before the suspect fled the scene.
Police have been working to identify the suspect through various leads, but have been unable to establish a positive identification. A photo of the suspect is attached, and investigators ask anyone with information about him to contact the Boulder Police Department.
The case number is 13-6128.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ruth Christopher at 303-441-1850. 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–
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Pipe Bomb at Centaurus High School Suspect Arrested
0May 14, 2013
On Monday, 05/13/13, at approximately 9am officers of the Lafayette Police Department were dispatched to Centaurus High School located at 10300 South Boulder Road on the report of a possible explosive device located on campus.
Centaurus High School was placed on lockdown. Students were safely evacuated and transferred to nearby Ryan Elementary School.
Upon arriving on scene the responding Lafayette officers recognized the device to possibly be a pipe bomb and requested assistance from the Boulder County Bomb Squad. The FBI was also contacted and responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The Boulder County Bomb Squad was able to render the device safe and recovered valuable evidence.
Bomb dogs and their handlers from around the metro area responded to the scene and by 2100 hours had completed searches of the school and the parking lot, including student vehicles that had been left behind when the school was evacuated. No other devices were located, all evidence indicated there were no additional threats to Centaurus High School and the area was determined safe. Students can respond to the school and pick up their vehicles at their convenience.
Due to the response and assistance of the Boulder County Bomb Squad, the FBI, the ATF and all other metro agencies who responded to the scene, the Lafayette Police Department identified a male Centaurus student as a person of interest.
Investigators worked throughout the night and arrested a 16 year old male Centaurus student in conjunction with the explosive device found at Centaurus High School. The juvenile male was located at his residence in Boulder County. Investigators searched the residence and located additional evidence. There is no known motive at this time, however the investigation is on-going.
The juvenile suspect has been arrested on the following charges:
1. Possession of Explosive/Incendiary Parts, 18-12-109(6), Class 4 Felony (for items found at the house), 2 Counts
2. Felony Menacing, 18-3-206, Class 5 Felony.
3. Interference of Educational Institution-Credible Threat w/Deadly Weapon, 18-9-109, Class 1 Misdemeanor.
Due to this being a juvenile suspect and an active investigation there will be no further information, press releases or interviews released by the Lafayette Police Department.
Lafayette PD news release
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Do you know this man? He’s wanted for robbery and attack
0April 12, 2013
Boulder police working to identify suspect from assault and robbery
Police in Boulder are releasing a composite sketch of one of the suspects believed to have been involved in an attack which occurred in the 1300 block of Pearl St. on April 8, 2013 at about 11:00 p.m.
The victim is a 23-year-old male who had stepped outside of a restaurant/bar to smoke a cigarette when he was approached by a male transient, who asked him for a cigarette. During this interaction, the victim was hit from behind by a blow to his face. When he fell to the ground, he was attacked by two other males. He described the other two males as transients but was unable to provide other details.
The males were able to steal the victim’s wallet from his pocket, but at that time, several other unknown males came to the victim’s aid.
Police are looking for three suspects. A sketch of the main suspect is attached and investigators are asking the public to contact police if they recognize him.
Police would also like to speak with the unknown males who came to the victim’s aid.
The case number is 13-4500.
Anyone with information may contact Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. 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.
Boulder police department release
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Boulder police arrest sex assault suspect; are concerned there may be more victims
0March 22, 2013
Boulder police, with the assistance of the Evans Police Department, arrested George Osonau Tiba (DOB 1/5/1965) at his home in Evans, CO on March 21, 2013. Tiba is charged with two counts of Sexual Assault, one count of Second Degree Burglary and one count of Theft. He was taken to the Weld County Jail and is being held there on $50,000 bond.
Tiba has been under investigation for a sex assault which occurred in Boulder on Feb. 17, 2013, sometime between the hours of 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. The victim is a 22-year-old female. The assault occurred at the victim’s home on 11th St.
She told police she met Tiba for the first time while she was out with friends earlier in the evening (March 20) at the Walrus, located at 1911 11th St. The victim also told police that the suspect stole cash and other items from her home after the assault.
Friends of the victim told investigators they believed that the suspect had been watching for potential victims at the Walrus, because he immediately approached the victim when she arrived with her group of friends. They believe the suspect targeted the victim, even though she attempted to disengage herself from him several times during the evening.
Because of Tiba’s behavior on the evening of the assault and because of some past incidents involving Tiba, police are concerned that he may have victimized others who have not yet reported the incidents to investigators.
This case number is 13-2212.
Anyone with information about Tiba, or who believes they may have been victimized by Tiba, is asked to contact the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-1974. 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 atwww.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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Boulder police arrest suspect in FirstBank robbery
0March 22, 2013
Boulder police arrested the suspect involved in last weekend’s robbery at FirstBank just before 5 p.m. on March 21, 2013.
James William Cranfill (DOB 7/01/1957) was arrested near the Municipal Campus after investigators developed information on the suspect’s identity from a Crime Stopper’s tip.
The bank robbery occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 9:17 a.m. at the FirstBank branch located at 2835 Pearl St. The suspect walked up to a teller, then produced a bag and a note which demanded cash. The teller complied and the suspect fled the building.
Police publicized a surveillance photo from the robbery, and that photo led to the Crime Stopper’s tip.
On March 21, a two-officer plain clothes unit spotted Cranfill and began surveillance. The plain clothes officers called for uniformed officers when Cranfill parked his car in the parking lot between the Municipal Building and the Boulder Public Library. The uniformed officers had not yet arrived when Cranfill exited his car and began moving quickly from the Canyon side of the Municipal Campus toward the Arapahoe side of the Municipal Campus. The plain clothes officers identified themselves as Boulder police officers, at which point the suspect began running away from them and into a large crowd of onlookers. The suspect fell down and the plain clothes officers began to gain control of him. The suspect continued to struggle, yell and resist arrest.
A large crowd of people began to surround the officers and the suspect. They were hostile to the officers as they tried to gain control of the suspect. A male in the crowd lifted up a nearby bicycle and threatened to strike one of the police officers with it. He ran away when police instructed him to stay back.
Once the suspect was subdued, he feigned a heart attack and was taken to the hospital to be checked out. He was later transported to the Boulder County Jail.
The case number is 13-3432, and police are continuing to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kurt Foster 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 atwww.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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Boulder police: BMW driver attempts to lure female teen into car
0January 22, 2013
Boulder police are increasing patrols after a teenage girl told investigators that an unknown man tried several times to lure her into his car. The incident occurred at 5:17 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2013 in the area of Broadway and Spruce.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late forties. The victim said he had dark skin and eyes, thick eyebrows and was wearing a dark green long-sleeve shirt. He was driving a newer model, light silver BMW 5-series four-door sedan. A composite sketch of the suspect and a photo of a similar car are attached.
The victim went into a nearby business to ask for help. The business owner saw the BMW, but was not able to see a license plate. The suspect left the area at that time and police are trying to locate the male and the associated vehicle.
Although this is the first time Boulder police have been made aware of the suspect, the victim said that yesterday’s incident was not the first time the suspect had approached her. She said that approximately four weeks earlier, a man who she believes is the same suspect tried to persuade her into his car near Viele Lake. The victim says that three weeks ago, the same suspect began honking his horn at her as he was stopped at a red light, trying to entice her into his car at Broadway and Alpine. All three times the victim says she ignored the suspect and continued walking.
Police remind community members to call 911 immediately if they see anything or anyone who seems suspicious.
Some good safety tips to remember include:
· Walk in groups and in well-lit areas.
· Make sure children know to never, ever get into a car with a stranger.
· If a stranger approaches a child, run away and yell for help.
· If a stranger tries to take a child, the child should yell, “Help! This isn’t my mom” or “This isn’t my dad,” and try to get away. Bite, kick and scratch if necessary.
· Report suspicious incidents immediately.
The case number is 13-868.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tom Dowd 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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Boulder Chief of Police: Department supports charges against officers who killed elk; apologizes to community
0January 18, 2013
Statement from Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner:
As you know, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett has announced that his office will file charges against the two Boulder Police officers involved in the shooting death of the Mapleton elk on January 1st. The officers face three felony charges in addition to a number of misdemeanor charges.
The Boulder Police Department fully supports the decision of the district attorney to pursue charges in this case. It’s the right decision, and the Department has assisted and cooperated fully with the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.
Officers Sam Carter and Brent Curnow have been on paid administrative leave since January 3rd, while the case has been investigated, as dictated by department policy and contractual due process.
Effective immediately, I have placed Sam Carter and Brent Curnow on unpaid administrative leave.
We realize that this case has hit a sensitive nerve in the Boulder community, and I want to reassure our community that I understand their concerns and that I intend to hold these officers accountable for their actions.
While the criminal investigation has (mostly) wrapped up, there is still an internal personnel investigation underway at the Boulder Police Department. This investigation is different and separate from the criminal investigation, and has to do with whether these officers may have violated rules, policies or procedures. We needed to proceed cautiously with the internal investigation because we didn’t want to interfere with the criminal investigation. The Boulder Police Department provided some of the evidence for the criminal case and cooperated fully with investigators.
We hope to move quickly now to complete our internal personnel investigation. Once that is finished, there is a review process that includes a combined community and department member review panel which will provide recommendations to me on the final disposition. If the allegations are sustained, the discipline for such allegations – including being untruthful – would typically be termination from employment.
We apologize for this unfortunate incident. We want our community to know that we take their concerns very seriously and that we’re working hard to correct this situation.
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Boulder police: Red light camera snags suspect in truck theft
0January 16, 2013
Suspect in stolen vehicle case photographed by photo red light
A suspect who police believe stole a work truck from a local company was photographed by a photo red light camera in Boulder. Police are releasing the photo and asking anyone who recognizes the man to contact investigators.
The stolen truck has been recovered in Erie, CO. It is a 2007 Ford pick-up, and belongs to a company called Lighthouse Solar.
If you know this guy, call number below
The truck had been parked at the Lighthouse Solar parking lot at the end of the work day on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. It was reported missing on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 when employees arrived at work.
Police need help from the public to identify the suspect, seen in the attached photo which was taken by a photo red light unit at 28th and Arapahoe.
The case number is 12-16695.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Kipp Euler at 303-441-3393. 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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Boulder police warn parents about two incidents involving suspicious males
0November 6, 2012
Boulder police are warning parents about a suspicious male or males who may be attempting to approach school-age children. Two separate incidents have been reported. No one was injured in either incident.
In the first incident, a 7-year-old boy and his 6-year-old sister were walking home from Whittier Elementary on Monday, November 5, when they say they were startled by a man in the area of 24th and Spruce. The boy said the man did not attempt to contact them or follow them, but he reported that he believed the man might have been carrying a gun and/or a knife. The children ran away and told their (mother) about the incident, which occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m.
The children describe the man as:
- Dark-skinned white male
- About 30 years old
- Average build
- Dark-colored baseball hat with a smiley face emblem
A second incident allegedly occurred at 3:45 p.m. in a shopping center located in the 600 block of S. Broadway. A 12-year-old boy said that a man seemed to be following him and attempting to make eye contact with him. The boy was frightened and went to a nearby store to call his mother to come pick him up. The mother reported the incident to police at 8:12 p.m. Investigators were not able to interview the 12-year-old boy last night because he was asleep by the time the incident was reported.
Police are at Southern Hills Middle School this morning to talk to the young man and gather more information about what happened.
He described the suspect to his mother, who shared the description with police:
- Dark-skinned white male
- Dirty blue jeans
- Olive-green colored hoodie
- In his 20’s
- Approximately 190 pounds
- Short dark hair
- Dark blue baseball hat
Boulder police officers are looking for the males, and ask anyone who sees a male matching the descriptions to call 911 immediately to report his location.
Extra patrol and traffic officers are in currently in place around Southern Hills Middle School, the Table Mesa Shopping Center, Whittier Elementary School and the area of the park on Folsom between Spruce and Pearl, where the first incident occurred. Detectives are contacting businesses in the shopping center on S. Broadway to try to obtain possible video of the suspect.
If video is available or if any of the children can provide enough information to complete a composite sketch, that information will immediately be made available to the public.
Police advise anyone who sees anything suspicious to report the activity immediately to police. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Detective Kristin Weisbach at 303-441-4474. 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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Boulder police seek ID of pervert at 29th St. mall
0August 29, 2012
Public asked to help identify indecent exposure suspect
Police in Boulder have released a sketch of a male who witnesses say exposed himself to them outside Macy’s, located at 1900 29th Street, on August 24, 2012. The incident happened around 1:00 p.m.
The two victims are females, 22 and 23 years old. They told investigators that they were sitting on a bench outside the department store when they noticed a male locking his bike at a bike rack near the parking garage. They say he stared at them as he walked up the stairs of the parking garage, and reappeared on the second floor where they could see him masturbating. They say he fully exposed himself to them. (The case number is 12-11459).
Police are trying to identify the male suspect. He is described as:
- White male
- 5’8” – 5’9” tall
- 130 lbs. – 160 lbs.
- Short, dark hair
- Between 20-and-24 years old
- “Scruffy” facial hair
- Wearing a gray shirt & either blue shorts or blue jeans, and carrying a backpack
- Riding a mountain bike
The mountain bike has been recovered by police and is being processed for evidence.
Another incident involving a similarly-described suspect occurred on August 18 in the 2600 block of Mapleton. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the two cases are related. (The Mapleton case number is 12-11092).
In the Mapleton incident, a female resident reported that a male suspect, riding a mountain bike, exposed himself while masturbating as she was doing yard work at 5:45 p.m. The suspect fled the area on the bike. In this case, the suspect was wearing a white shirt and long, checkered, light-colored shorts.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ruth Christopher at 303-441-1850. 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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Boulder police release photos of bank robbery suspect
0August 21, 2012
Boulder police are trying to identify a white male in his mid-to-late forties who investigators believe robbed the First National Bank at 3033 Iris in Boulder. The robbery occurred at 12:07 p.m.
Witnesses inside the bank say that the suspect was in the lobby and then stepped up to the teller station, where he passed a note. The suspect did not say anything, but based on the note, the teller gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. He then left the bank out the north door and was last seen outside the bank.
The suspect did not display a weapon during the robbery, and no one was hurt.
The suspect is described as:
- White male
- Mid-to-late 40’s
- 5’4” tall, medium build
- Brown hair
- Razor stubble
- Large-framed sunglasses
- Wearing a “well worn” CU Buffaloes baseball cap, a dark green hoodie with a front zipper, and a yellow shirt with a graphic of a basketball going into a hoop, dark pants & white tennis shoes
- Carrying a cream or ivory-colored cloth shopping bag with unidentifiable writing on the side
The FBI has been notified and is working in partnership with the Boulder Police Department. The case number is 12-11273.
Anyone who has information about this robbery or the suspect is asked to call Detective Tom Dowd 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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Police release suspect sketch in alleged kidnapping/sex assault case
0July 31, 2012
Boulder police are releasing a sketch of one of the suspects in an alleged kidnapping/sex assault that took place early Sunday morning in the area of 17th and Arapahoe.
The victim contacted one of her friends by phone after 4:30 a.m. to report the assault/abduction. The friend notified police, and officers found the victim at a pay phone in the area of 28th and Arapahoe. Officers took her to the hospital for treatment.
The female victim told police that she was forced into a vehicle by two unknown males. She says she was taken to a residence and sexually assaulted by the suspects. She told investigators she was able to escape when the suspects left the room. She then went to a pay phone to call one of her friends, who told authorities where she could be located.
The victim gave limited descriptions of the men she says assaulted her. Both men are white males, possibly in their forties. One of the men is described as being 6’1” tall, with brown eyes and a “big gut.” The other man is approximately 5’10” tall with blue eyes, and “skinny.”
The victim described the vehicle as a blue SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer or Expedition, with a light or gray-colored cloth interior. If anyone saw a vehicle matching that description in area of the Hotel Boulderado Saturday night or Sunday morning, or saw two men matching the above description, police would like to speak with them.
The case number is 12-10138.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Carey Lutz at 303-441-4374. Those who have information but who 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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Boulder police: 53 cars stolen in last six months
0July 9, 2012
Boulder police warn public of increase in auto thefts, offer advice to deter thieves
Vehicle thefts are on the rise in Boulder, and police want to warn the public and share some tips to make sure that others don’t become victims of auto theft.
Between Jan. 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012, people reported 53 stolen vehicles in Boulder. So far this year, 43 of those autos have been recovered (81% recovery rate). During the same time period last year (Jan. 1 – July 1, 2011), there were 46 vehicles reported stolen, with 35 of them recovered (76% recovery rate).
While the recovery rates might seem like good news, many of the recovered vehicles were severely damaged by the thieves and some of the vehicles were not drivable. In several instances, drug paraphernalia was found inside the recovered cars. Some of the autos were found in Boulder, and others were located in nearby cities.
Most of these vehicle thefts have several things in common:
- The victim’s left their cars unlocked or the windows down.
- They left spare keys inside the unlocked car.
- There were valuables, such as purses, credit cards and electronics, in full view.
Thieves are usually looking for an easy steal. They want to work fast to start the car and then leave the area. Many of these thefts would not have occurred if the victims had simply locked their vehicles. Police offer some advice to keep your car secure:
- Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway.
- Never leave a spare key in your car (that includes the valet key in your glove box).
- Don’t leave valuables (purses, wallets, cash, credit cards, and electronics) in view. It’s best to take them with you and not leave them in the car at all.
- Don’t leave your car running unattended, even to make a quick trip into a convenience store. This is exactly how at least one thief made off with a car this year in Boulder.
- Don’t leave your windows open – even cracked – when you park your vehicle.
- Park in well-lit areas. If you have a garage, use it. (And don’t leave the garage door open. Thieves may not get your car, but they’ll take whatever else they can easily steal).
- Consider an alarm, or a theft-deterrent/recovery system device like LoJack.
To date in 2012, Boulder police have made 13 arrests for auto theft. (One of the suspects is a teenager who is not old enough to obtain a driver’s license). From Jan. 1, 2011 to July 1, 2011, seven people were arrested. Police are continuing to investigate open cases.
If you are the victim of a vehicle theft, call police immediately. You may call 9-1-1, or the non-emergency Dispatch number at 303-441-3333. Police will need the make, model, year and color of your car, as well as the license plate number. They’ll also need to know when you believe car was stolen, and whether it was locked or unlocked at the time. Investigators will also ask whether you keep a spare key inside the vehicle.
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Peeping Tom caught in the act
0April 19, 2012
Boulder police ask for public’s help in identifying peeping tom suspect
Boulder police are releasing several surveillance photos of a suspect believed to be responsible for peeping into residences in the 800 block of Marine St. over the past several months. He may also be responsible for similar incidents in the 1000 block of 11th St.
The victims who have reported the peeping tom have been both male and female.
Police believe the suspect may have collected traces of bright yellow tracking powder on his shoes from one of these incidents.
The suspect may be approximately 6 feet tall, and investigators believe he is a white male. Photos indicate he has been wearing a gray or dark-colored sweatshirt or hoodie.
The case numbers are 12-3808, 12-1401 and 12-4766.
Police are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect. Anyone who recognizes him or who has information on these cases is asked to contact Det. Chuck Heidel at 303-441-3339. 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.
