MONDAY, JAN. 30
A deputy pulled over a vehicle on Hwy. 491 with no visible registration plate. The deputy contacted the two occupants of the vehicle, a man and a woman. Dispatch advised that the male drivers license came back as suspended due to insurance being terminated, and that the female passenger had two misdemeanor warrants out for her arrest for traffic violations. She was placed under arrest and placed in a patrol vehicle, and a tow truck was called to come tow the vehicle away. When a tow inventory was being conducted, a glass methamphetamine pipe which contained burnt residue was found wrapped in toilet paper and stuffed between the drivers seat and the center console. The driver was charged with possession of the pipe. During a probable cause search, a hypodermic needle was found on the back passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. Also found in the console was a digital scale that contained a powdery residue. All items were collected as evidence, and the driver was issued a summons for driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
TUESDAY, FEB. 7
A deputy was informed by another of an attempted escape by an inmate while he was attending court in the county district court. He had been chained and handcuffed per jail procedure in preparation for transport. On arrival at court, it was discovered that the inmates restraint chain was loose, and that one of the hooks had been bent, allowing for the chains to be removed. The handcuffs were also bent. Upon discovering the attempt, the inmate was transported back to the detention center. The inmate said that he did not understand what the situation was about, and that he had done nothing wrong. During transport he had been observed messing with his restraints and by the time he arrived at court, the inmate had freed the chain from his waist. The restraints had been intact when he left the jail. He was charged with escape, criminal attempt, and criminal mischief. The damaged items were collected as evidence.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8
A deputy was dispatched to a local butane company regarding credit card fraud, and met with two employees at the business. An unidentified male had called to purchase propane for his girlfriend. He was told that an outstanding balance of $400.35 had to be paid first, and he would have to pre-pay $289 for 100 gallons of propane before delivery would be made. The male stated that he would pay the past due balance with a credit card and gave a card number. A possible suspect was identified. Another employee of the company received a call from someone who had had a transaction of $400.35 on his credit card, and that the credit card had been stolen. The card had been reported as stolen and the bank had been notified. The suspect had stayed at the cardholders residence for approximately three weeks and had obtained his credit card number. The suspect was currently incarcerated in Durango and is being held on charges and several different warrants. The girlfriend had received a call from the suspect about two weeks earlier and she told him that she needed propane. The suspect told her he could take care of it for her since he had recently received an inheritance, and called her back a short time later and told her he had taken care of the propane bill. The officer will contact the suspect at the La Plata County Jail to issue him a summons.
SATURDAY, FEB. 11
A deputy pulled over a vehicle on Hwy. 184 at Hwy. 491 for a defective license plate light. While speaking with the female driver, the only occupant of the car, the deputy saw a see-through plastic container sitting on the seat beside her that contained a glass methamphetamine pipe and several marijuana pipes. She gave the deputy permission to look in the box and also provided a medical marijuana card. Inside was three marijuana pipes, a marijuana cigarette, and a small baggie of marijuana. The deputy showed the meth pipe to the woman and she was issued a summons for possession of drug paraphernalia. The meth pipe with burnt residue was collected for evidence. She was given the other items back.