Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Crime

Arrest Made After Explosions Damage High Line Canal Trail Near Denver
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Arrest Made After Explosions Damage High Line Canal Trail Near Denver

By Austen Erblat | CBS Colorado An 18-year-old Colorado man has been arrested and now faces multiple charges related to recent explosions that damaged the High Line Canal Trail near Denver. The man, who was not identified by police, is accused of setting off multiple homemade explosive devices along the canal, mostly between October and December. Cherry Hills Village Police, however, said they observed a suspicious person on the trail through police cameras on Jan. 6. The suspect who was described by police in a public alert in December was seen riding a "higher wattage" e-bike with a dark frame, wide tires, and handlebar mittens, and the department said the person they saw on Jan. 6 had "clothing and mode of transportation" that matched previous descriptions...
New Colorado Nonprofit Targets Judges and DAs Accused of Being Soft on Crime
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

New Colorado Nonprofit Targets Judges and DAs Accused of Being Soft on Crime

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — Two elected officials representing a hefty swath of the Front Range are teaming up with a Colorado radio host because they say they have had enough of rogue judges releasing violent criminals onto the streets, only to repeat offend. Their desire to change that trajectory led them to form a new non-profit educational group aimed at shining a light on those they believe need to move on from the bench. Conservative talk show host Jeff Hunt, State Rep. Dan Woog (R-Frederick), and 4th Congressional District CU Regent Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch), have joined forces to form Law and Order Action, which they say is “dedicated to holding pro-crime judges, district attorneys and lawmakers accountable.” Woog’s legislat...
Police Arrest Aurora Man in Massive Denver Construction Site Arson
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Police Arrest Aurora Man in Massive Denver Construction Site Arson

By Jesse Sarles | CBS Colorado An arrest has been made in connection with the five-alarm fire at a Denver construction site earlier this month, according to the Denver Fire Department. It was the largest fire in Colorado's capital city in decades, covering an area roughly the size of four football fields.  Tony BercerraAurora Police Investigators allegedly found that 37-year-old Tony Bercerra was caught on surveillance images entering and leaving the scene off Leetsdale Drive and Forest Street before the Harker Heights complex caught fire on Jan. 2. He will face arson charges. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
Former Green Mountain High School Psychologist Found Guilty of Sexual Assault on a Child
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Former Green Mountain High School Psychologist Found Guilty of Sexual Assault on a Child

By: Óscar Contreras | Denver7 GOLDEN, Colo. — A Green Mountain High School psychologist arrested last year on suspicion of sex assault on a child was convicted Monday in connection with the crime and several other charges levied against him. James Michael Chevrier was arrested in May after Lakewood police was made aware of a Safe2Tell tip accusing him of sex assault. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVER7
Colorado Homelessness Linked More to Drugs Than Housing Costs Report Finds
DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Homelessness Linked More to Drugs Than Housing Costs Report Finds

By: Shannon Ogden | Denver7 New study from CSI shows governments must take "treatment first" approach instead of "housing first." DENVER — A new report from Common Sense Institute (CSI) finds that Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for homelessness and that it's not housing affordability that's driving it, it's illicit drug use, crime rates, and policing levels. The report examines 2024 homelessness data across all 50 states and the nation’s largest metro areas. The CSI reports finds that Colorado ranks: 9th nationally in total homelessness rate 7th in chronic homelessness 10th in unsheltered homelessness 7th in homelessness involving severe mental illness 7th in homelessness involving chronic substance abuse Amo...
Justice Served as Colorado Child Predator Receives 84-Year Federal Prison Sentence
The Western Journal, Approved, State

Justice Served as Colorado Child Predator Receives 84-Year Federal Prison Sentence

By Jack Davis | The Western Journal A 31-year-old Colorado man has been sentenced to 84 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of the sexual exploitation of minors. Austin Ryan Lauless, 31, was sentenced on Dec. 17, according to a Department of Justice news release. In addition to prison time, he faces a lifetime of supervised release. Lauless pleaded guilty to 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of advertising child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material, the Justice Department said. The release said the 84 American victims come from almost every state, and that victims from at least five foreign countries have been identified. READ THE FUL...
The Naughty List is Filled with Sanctuary Cities And States this Year
Daily Wire, Approved, National

The Naughty List is Filled with Sanctuary Cities And States this Year

By Jennie Taer | The Daily Wire Santa’s naughty list this year includes several sanctuary cities and states that allowed illegal immigrant criminals to roam their streets, many of whom went on to commit more egregious crimes. Sanctuary cities and states adopt policies that prevent local police from notifying federal immigration authorities about the looming release of illegal immigrants from local jails. They also bar federal authorities from entering jails to interview illegal immigrant suspects. The Trump administration has sued several sanctuary jurisdictions, including Minnesota, New York City, Boston, Illinois, and Los Angeles, over the policies. These are some of the worst offenders. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE DAILY WIRE
Suspect in Custody Following Series of Intentional Fires in Aurora
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Suspect in Custody Following Series of Intentional Fires in Aurora

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado A man is in custody after investigators say he set a string of fires over the past week in a residential area near East 16th Avenue and North Norfolk Street in Aurora. Michael Anthony Lopez, 30, was arrested Tuesday on multiple arson charges, including second and fourth-degree arson. Investigators say the fires targeted a wide range of property, including vegetation, portable toilets, vehicles, and both the exterior and interior of apartment buildings. Aurora Fire Rescue responded repeatedly over the last week, limiting damage while officers canvassed the neighborhood and gathered evidence. Neighbors say the fear of another attack kept them up at night. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
Colorado Federal IT Worker Stole $1 Million From Federal Agency Through Fake Invoices
CBS Colorado, Approved, State

Colorado Federal IT Worker Stole $1 Million From Federal Agency Through Fake Invoices

By Logan Smith | CBS Colorado A 55-year-old Colorado man who worked for the federal government was sentenced to prison this week for fraudulently diverting approximately $1 million from his employer for personal use. James Montoya, of Lakewood, was sentenced Tuesday to 41 months behind bars. He was also ordered to repay $1,122,009.47. Montoya was employed as an information technology specialist for the United States Geological Survey, which has offices in Lakewood. He was hired by the agency in 1996 and started working in an IT position in 2002.  A year later, Montoya began falsifying expense reports in order to shift money to personal PayPal accounts, per case documents. The activity wasn't noticed until 15 years later. Then, in 2023, an examination of employe...
‘Somebody’s In Our House’: Colorado Father Stops Alleged Repeat Burglar Near Children’s Bedroom
Fox News, Approved, Local

‘Somebody’s In Our House’: Colorado Father Stops Alleged Repeat Burglar Near Children’s Bedroom

By Stepheny Price and Ashley Papa | Fox News A Denver family said they lived every parent’s worst nightmare, waking up in the middle of the night to find a stranger walking toward their children’s bedrooms. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kevin and Sarah Root described the terrifying early-morning encounter inside their southwest Denver home. The couple said the break-in happened around 3:30 a.m. "We heard the footsteps coming up the stairs to where our room is," Kevin recalled. "We looked at each other and said, ‘Somebody’s in our house.’ You realize you’re not dreaming — this is real." Sarah immediately grabbed her phone to call 911 while her husband went to check the hallway. "The fear of what’s going to happen when my husband opens the door, that’s what ...