CAR BREAK-INS RISE SHARPLY IN THORNTON
thornton» Busy car thieves have been creeping across Thornton in the early-morning hours and committed 105 thefts from cars in just 15 days, police say.
In most cases, the criminals didn’t need a key because cars were unlocked, according to a news release by Matt Barnes, Thornton police spokesman.
“These crimes are crimes of opportunity involving unlocked vehicles, visible valuables ... under the cover of darkness,” Barnes’ news release says.
Most of the break-ins happened between midnight and 5 a.m.
A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Anyone with information about to the individuals responsible is asked to call the Thornton police tip line at 720-9775069 or Metro Area Crime Stoppers at 720913-7867.
20 new officers joining DPD. The Denver police
department swore in 20 new police officers — who all have prior law enforcement experience — at a ceremony Friday morning, authorities say.
“These officers bring years of experience with them from other jurisdictions, and Denver is excited to have these professionals join the ranks of the department,” according to a news release by Sonny Jackson, Denver police spokesman.
Each of the new officers attended Denver’s police academy and will receive additional field training after graduating, Jackson said.
55 firefighters on scene of blaze B
summit county» Summit County authorities say 55 firefighters are battling a small — but growing — wildfire north of Silverthorne on Friday evening.
Taneill Ilano, spokeswoman for the county sheriff’s office, said the blaze covered about seven to 10 acres roughly two miles north of Colorado 9 near Ute Pass Road.
The blaze, on national forest land, was not at all contained, she said.
“There is a storm front moving in,” Ilano said. “Fingers crossed that it behaves, so we can get it under control.”
Man who was wanted for Fort Carson shooting arrested in Detroit. Authorities
say a man wanted for a 1990 shooting on an Army base in Colorado has been captured in Detroit.
The U.S. Marshals Service says 44-year-old Maurice Crutchfield was caught Thursday hiding in a house on Detroit’s east side.
The Detroit Free Press reports Crutchfield is accused of firing six rounds into a group of people while stationed at Fort Carson in 1990. He was charged with conspiracy to willfully discharge a firearm as to endanger life by the Army, but U.S. Marshals say he abandoned his post.
Bear euthanized after being shot B
colorado springs» Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have euthanized a bear that had attempted to eat trash at a Colorado Springs home and was shot by the homeowner.
The Gazette reports that Colorado Springs police responded early Thursday after the homeowner said he shot the bear in self-defense. The bear was badly wounded in the right shoulder, which led wildlife officials to put it down.