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Press Releases
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January 6, 2012 Garfield County, Colorado: On Friday, January 6, 2012, at approximately 3:17 p.m., Rifle Fire Protection District was notified of a structure fire located at 3063 State Highway 325 in Rifle, Colorado. No injuries were reported and there are no obvious signs of arson at this time, however; fire officials are currently on scene investigating the cause of the fire. Rifle Fire Protection District responded with two fire engines, two water tenders, an ambulance, a command vehicle and 13 firefighters. Burning Mountains Fire Protection District responded with a water tender and two attendees. Other agencies on scene include: Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies, Victim Response Team Specialist and Animal Control Deputy, State Patrol Officer and Colorado Department of Transportation. More information will be released as it becomes available. |
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December 14, 2011 Garfield County, Colorado: On Friday, December 9th, 2011, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Garfield County Emergency Communications advised Garfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies of a dark colored sport utility type vehicle driving erratically on I-70. After running the plate on the vehicle, it was discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Grand Junction. Within 15 minutes, deputies were able to locate the stolen vehicle on County Road 315, where a short vehicle pursuit developed. The pursuit was called off at approximately mile marker 3.2 on County Road 315. Within minutes, deputies located the stolen Honda Ridgeline crashed into a stack of metal pipes, which were a part of a pipeline under construction. Before deputies arrive on scene, the driver left the scene on foot. The first deputy to arrive on the scene of the accident was a certified tracking canine team and a track for the suspect began immediately. Canine Bak and his handler tracked the area for approximately one hour in freezing conditions. The canine team was called off and Garfield County Sheriff’s Detectives were called to photograph and process the scene. A little over three hours later, at 10:52 p.m., Garfield County Emergency Communications contacted Sheriff’s Deputies about a burglary in progress at a residence in the area of mile marker 1 on County Road 352, southeast of the Garfield County Regional Airport and approximately a mile and a half north of the crash site. The home owner noticed suspicious activity when they left the door unlocked and came home to a locked house. When deputies arrived at the residence, they noticed several shoeprints track out the back door. Jewelry and clothing were stolen from the house. Deputies also noticed that the shoe prints recovered from the pursuit scene were identical to the shoe prints at the home burglary. Another certified tracking canine team, Ejon and his handler were deployed and tracked the suspect for approximately one hour, ending at the East access gate to the Garfield County Regional Airport. As deputies continued to search the Garfield County Regional Airport area for the suspect, at approximately 12:57 a.m., two deputies observed a silver and red Chevy Suburban driving northbound on the airport tarmac. At that moment, the vehicle began to reverse at a high rate of speed and headed towards the airplane hangars. Deputies followed the suspect and attempted to detain him and the vehicle at gunpoint between two of the hangars. At which point, the suspect failed to comply with verbal commands and drove the vehicle around the deputies. This initiated a second vehicle pursuit, westbound on the Garfield County Regional Airport Tamarac. Deputies immediately notified the airport to shut down air traffic to the runway. The suspect traveled north across the airport runway and traveled down the embankment, taking out approximately 50 yards of airport perimeter fence. The vehicle eventually came to a rest at the bottom of the hill, near the bottom of County Road 346. The suspect again fled from the vehicle eastbound on foot. As deputies searched the area, they discovered the suspect hiding in the brush, where he was then taken into custody. During their investigation, deputies collected evidence, associating all three crime scenes. Lewis was transported to Grand River Hospital and was treated for injuries sustained in both vehicle crashes. Damage to the Garfield County Regional Airport is estimated at $1,500.00. For charges, see attached booking card. No further information will be released at this time, as this case has been filed with the District Attorney’s Office. |
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December 12, 2011 – Update 10:20 p.m. Garfield County, Colorado: On Monday, December 12, 2011, at approximately 4:10 p.m., a Garfield County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a welfare check at a residence on West Bank Road, located in the West Bank subdivision outside Glenwood Springs, Colorado. When the Garfield County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to make contact with the resident, the resident open fired, shooting several rounds at the deputy. The deputy avoided being shot by taking cover behind his patrol vehicle, which was struck multiple times by gunfire. The deputy immediately notified the Garfield County Emergency Communications Center of shots fired and began to secure the area. Law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions responded to the scene and began evacuating residents in the immediate area. The Garfield County Emergency Communications Center sent an Everbridge emergency message to the landline of residents in a three block radius asking residents to shelter in place. The Garfield County All Hazard Response Team was able to approach the residence and establish communications with the suspect under the protection of the All Hazards Response Team, BearCat. Once negotiators made contact with the suspect via phone, negotiators asked the suspect to surrender and follow instructions given by the All Hazards Tactical Team situated outside the residence. The suspect complied and exited the front of house, completing the surrender to the tactical team without incident. It is the practice of this multijurisdictional team, AHRT, when possible, to begin with negotiations, in an attempt to resolve all situations peacefully. “I’m thankful no one was hurt and for the quick response from all responding law enforcement agencies. I have a great deal of confidence in the decision making of my deputies in these situations. Because of our commitment to training and equipment, we can safely work toward a peaceful resolution. I would also like to thank the citizens and media for their cooperation during this incident,” says Sheriff Lou Vallario. Incidents like this remind us all how important it is to get all Garfield County residents signed up on the Everbridge emergency notification system. This system supports continued communication with residents affected during a crisis in our community. Please go to www.garco911.org and register yourself and your family today. Agencies involved include: Garfield County Emergency Communications Center, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Glenwood Springs Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Garfield County All Hazards Response Team, Eagle County Special Operations Unit, Silt Police Department, Rifle Police Department and the Carbondale Police Department. Below you will find the suspect’s booking photo. Craig Dance, a 61 year old Garfield County resident is still in the process of being booked into the Garfield County Jail. Booking card with charges will be released tomorrow, 12/13/11.  # # # December 12, 2011 – Update 7:25 p.m. Garfield County, Colorado: Suspect is in custody without incident. Residents should be able to return to their homes in the next 30 minutes. Further information will be released as it becomes available. # # # December 12, 2011 Garfield County, Colorado: On Monday, December 12, 2011, at approximately 4:10 p.m., a Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a welfare check at a residence on West Bank Road, located in the West Bank subdivision outside Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The incident led to an officer involved shooting. At this time, there are no reported injuries and the suspect has barricaded himself in the residence. The Garfield County All Hazards Response Team and their crisis negotiators are on scene. Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is asking all residents in the area to stay in their homes and any residents along the West Bank Road to secure their homes and shelter in a safe location inside, away from windows or in their basements. The Garfield County Emergency Communications Center sent out an Everbridge Emergency information message to residents in the area and will follow up when it is safe to leave or return to their homes. The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time, and further information will be released as it becomes available. |
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November 18, 2011 Garfield County, Colorado: On November 1st, 2011 the Garfield County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Deputy was notified by the United States Forest Service of several underfed, possibly sick, horses at the Budge’s Flattops Wilderness Lodge, which is located at Forest Service Road 600, Gypsum, 81637. After further investigation by Animal Control Deputies, it was determined that the animals were being neglected by the owner of the lodge, Larry Gene Parks. A representative from the United States Forest Service went to the ranch and took several pictures of the neglected horses and provided the photos to law enforcement. The pictures supported the claims of neglect and animal cruelty. On November 8th, 2011 the Eagle County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Protections, who reported potential neglected horses at 14533 Highway 6, Gypsum, Colorado. This report stemmed from a connected investigation in Garfield County. Upon contacting the property care taker at 14533 Highway 6, Gypsum, it was determined that the horse in question of neglect, belonged to Larry Parks, age 63, and that the property care taker was allowing the horses on the property, in order to feed them. On November 10th, 2011, Garfield County Sheriff's Office Animal Control deputies obtained a warrant for Larry Gene Parks charging him with Cruelty to Animals. At that time, the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, along with the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Protections executed a search warrant for the property located in Gypsum. The search resulted in two of the horses being seized for treatment and one treated in the field. The rest of the horses were removed from the Budge’s Flattops Wilderness Lodge and are currently in the care of Larry Gene Parks. Parks was taken into custody on November 14th, 2011 by Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies and served a summons for three counts of Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty by Eagle County Deputies. Parks immediately posted bonded with a $2,500 cash surety. Parks is scheduled to appear before a judge on November 30, 2011. No further information will be released at this time. This case has been filed with the District Attorneys office. |
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The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct. |
CONTACT: Tanny McGinnis Community Relations Garfield County Sheriff's Office 107 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Phone: (970) 309-9248 Email: tmcginnis@garcosheriff.com |
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