Posts tagged investigators
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.
Thayne Smika mugshot
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.”
Age progression to present
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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CU police: Two suspects wanted in connection with backpack, laptop theft
Jul 25th
Police are trying to identify two male suspects who investigators believe are responsible for stealing an unattended backpack outside the Target store, located at 2800 Pearl St., on July 12, 2013. The incident occurred at approximately 3:54 p.m.
The male victim told investigators he was waiting outside the store for an acquaintance to arrive. When the acquaintance showed up, the victim walked away from his backpack for a few minutes, forgetting that he had left it behind. Inside the backpack were personal items and a Samsung laptop computer.
When the victim remembered that he’d left his backpack, he went back to retrieve it and found that it was gone. Surveillance video from Target shows two males, one of whom is believed to have stolen the backpack and laptop. A surveillance photo is attached.
The main suspect is described as:
- White male
- Age unknown
- Brown hair
- Wearing a green windbreaker and shorts, and a white bicycle helmet
- Carrying a blue backpack on his back and the stolen backpack in his arms.
The second suspect is described as:
- White male
- Age unknown
- Wearing blue jeans, a light colored shirt and a red hat.
- Carrying a dark colored backpack on his back and walking two bicycles away from the scene.
When the male suspect stole the backpack, he was seen walking south as he left the area.
The case number is 13-9117.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Craig Beckjord at 303-441-3336. 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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Man arrested in connection with scissor attack
Jun 27th
Roy Gene Seagraves (DOB 4/3/1961) was arrested in Longmont, CO around 10:15 a.m. today, June 27, 2013. Longmont police received a tip that Seagraves was seen in the 1500 block of Main Street. Longmont officers arrested Seagraves without incident and he has been booked in the Boulder County Jail on charges of First Degree Attempted Murder and First Degree Assault. His bond has been set at $500,000.
Boulder police linked Seagraves to an assault which occurred earlier this month. Investigators believe Seagraves attacked an 18-year-old man with a pair of scissors on June 15, 2013, around 10:21 p.m. The assault occurred in the area of 13th and Spruce Streets.
Boulder detectives received an anonymous tip from someone who identified Seagraves from a composite sketch released by Boulder police. The sketch matched a recent booking photo taken at the Boulder County Jail.
The night of the attack, the male victim told police he was walking with a female friend when an unknown male, wielding a pair of scissors, attacked him. The suspect held the scissors to the victim’s throat, but the victim was able to wrest the scissors away from the suspect. The victim was treated at the hospital for cuts and abrasions he received during the scuffle; his female friend was not injured. The investigation indicates that the attack was unprovoked.
The case number is 13-7877.
Anyone with information about this case 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 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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