Crime
We moved Boulder Crime News and police blotter out of News and made it a primary category. Even though crime news is the highest in analytic s some readers complain because it ruins non violent news. Our readers and viewers prefer science, tech environmental and entertainment news. So crime news junkies now have your own bad news section here.
Boulder’s newest crime: catalytic converter theft
Jan 23rd
Boulder police release photo of possible suspect in catalytic converter thefts
Boulder police are investigating a string of catalytic converter thefts that have taken place over the past few weeks and are releasing a photo of a potential suspect.
So far, the department has received reports of 16 thefts since Jan. 4. The thefts are occurring during the overnight hours in the area bordered by Colorado Avenue to the north, Table Mesa to the south, Broadway to the west and Manhattan Drive to the east.
The thief or thieves have been targeting SUVs and pick-up trucks, such as Toyota Tacomas, 4-Runners and Nissan Pathfinders, as well as one Honda Element. The suspect or suspects use saws to remove the catalytic converters, and can do so in many cases in less than one minute. The catalytic converters can be sold to scrap metal dealers, who extract precious metals (like platinum) from them.
The suspect in the attached photos is possibly involved in the case. He is seen in a Glendale King Soopers using a credit card that was stolen from one of the vehicles associated with the catalytic converter thefts.
The case number is 12-278.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or who has information about any of the catalytic converter cases is asked to contact Detective 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.
Another Boulder bank hit
Jan 19th
FirstBank branch robbed; police release suspect photos
Boulder police are looking for a male suspect who robbed a branch of FirstBank, located at 4770 Baseline Road. The robbery occurred at 11:42 this morning and was called in as a teller alarm. Police are working with the FBI and the Safe Streets Task Force on this case. (Case # P12-858).
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect walked into the bank, approached the teller and demanded money. No weapon was seen. The teller cooperated, and no one was injured. The suspect escaped on foot in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as:
- White male
- 5 feet, 10 inches
- 180 to 200 lbs.
- Muscular build
- Long, thick goatee and mustache
- Wearing a green hoodie with a white shirt underneath, and jeans
- 30 to 40 years old
- White beanie-type hat
Surveillance photos of the suspect are attached.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or who has information about the robbery is asked to contact the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3330. 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.
Deepwater Horizon lessons are subject of Jan. 26 lecture at CU-Boulder
Jan 17th
The University of Colorado Boulder will host a free public lecture this month illuminating the lessons learned from the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers and resulted in the largest accidental oil spill in U.S. history.
Called “What Happened at Deepwater Horizon?” the event will be presented Jan. 26 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Mathematics Building auditorium, room 100.
Donald Winter, former secretary of the Navy, professor of engineering practice at the University of Michigan and chair of the National Academies committee that wrote a report on the Deepwater Horizon accident, will be the first of two guest speakers.
The report, issued last month, points to multiple flawed decisions leading to the blowout and explosion, and calls for a new “system safety” approach to anticipating and managing possible dangers at every level of operation.
A second guest speaker will be Paul Hsieh, a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who was named 2011 Federal Employee of the Year. Hsieh performed the crucial calculations on pressure that deemed it safe to cap the oil well in mid-July without causing it to rupture from beneath the seabed and result in a bigger disaster.
Two CU-Boulder environmental engineering faculty who have been researching the aftermath of the incident also will present their findings at the event. Fernando Rosario-Ortiz will discuss the environmental fate of dispersants used in the disaster response and Alina Handorean will present information on air quality impacts of the oil spill.
“I was really jarred by this event because it was so preventable,” said event co-organizer Jana Milford, professor and director of the Environmental Engineering Program at CU-Boulder. “By learning more about what happened, I think we can encourage a stronger culture around safety.”
The event is presented by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the BOLD Center, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Environmental Engineering Program.
For more information or to request accommodations for disabilities call 303-492-4774.
