Sunday, March 29

11:21 a.m. Property damage to a red Ford Explorer was reported at a home in the 12700 block of U.S. Highway 491. The owner stated it occurred between 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Two windows were broken, and a tire was slashed, and a white sugar-like substance was found around the fuel cap and on the ground. A resident suspected a man who had been messaging and calling her. The deputy took photos of the messages, and dispatch confirmed he had a protection order against contacting the woman. The man denied damaging the truck or knowing the woman’s address. He was physically restrained, arrested, taken to jail and cited.

Saturday, April 4

3:31 a.m. A deputy responded to a report of a vehicle sliding off the road in the 25900 block of Road T and observed a white Toyota Tacoma with front-end damage in the ditch on the right hand side of Road 26. Two men were in the vehicle and the deputy could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. The driver refused to perform roadside maneuvers and to take a portable breath test. Two empty beer cans and a 12-pack of beer were found in the truck. The driver was arrested, taken to jail and cited, then released to his father.

Sunday, April 5

12:17 p.m. A broken window at a residence was reported in the 17900 block of Road 22. A rock was found in the living room by the owner’s son. The son stated that the home was unoccupied and was damaged in the past two weeks. The deputy took photos of the window and the rock. There were no suspects.

7:03 p.m. A deputy responded to a car crash in the area of County Roads 25 and F. A woman was found in a Toyota 4Runner that lay on its side in the road. When the deputy approached, the woman locked the doors, put on a face mask and clear glasses and began spraying the inside of the vehicle with an aerosol can. Suspecting a cover-up, the deputy requested assistance from Colorado State Patrol. The deputy asked the woman to unlock the doors so he could help her get out of the vehicle safely, but she refused and said their was no power despite the headlights being turned on. State Patrol arrived and took over the investigation.

Tuesday, April 7

4:12 p.m. Shoplifting was reported at a pawn shop in the 24000 block of Road G.2. The shop manager reported that a couple had come into the store looking for a ring. The man purchased a ring and left with his girlfriend. An employee realized one of the rings the man had looked at was missing. The deputy contacted the suspect, but he denied stealing the ring and produced the receipt. Later, the shop reported it had found the ring and an employee had displayed it in the wrong case.

9:51 p.m. Deputies assisted the Cortez Police Department with a report of a break-in at a fast food restaurant in the 400 block of East Main Street. Upon arrival, the deputies observed an adult native male inside the restaurant and a broken, west-facing glass door. One deputy attempted to enter through another door and found it still locked. The other deputy entered through the broken door and contacted the suspect. He drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to the ground. The suspect complied with no incident and was taken into custody.

Wednesday, April 8

8:49 a.m. A deputy was following up on a report of a controlled burn that had gotten out of control on April 7 in the 23400 block of Road M. The victim wished to pursue charges against his neighbor, who had started the fire, for damages to his property. His field and a fence post were burned during the fire. A summons was issued for the neighbor, but contact was not made at that time.

Thursday, April 9

1:02 p.m. While on patrol, a deputy heard a report of a male trauma patient who had been hit by a gooseneck trailer being towed by a black Ford pickup while hitch hiking in the 80 block of Central Avenue in Dolores. The man reported that the trailer had passed close to him and caught the handle of his backpack, pulling him toward the trailer and causing him to hit his left leg. He sustained an injury to his leg and was knocked to the ground. A male passerby saw the man on the side of the road and thought he was hurt. He stopped to offer assistance. The injured man was transported to the hospital. There were no suspects at that time.

Friday, April 10

12:45 p.m. A deputy responded to a report of a structure fire in the 12700 block of Road 23. Another deputy was on scene. A detached garage was on fire. The fire department arrived and put out the fire. The cause appeared to be a wiring issue.

Saturday, April 11

2:48 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle with a man and woman nearby in the roadway who appeared to be arguing in the 18000 block of County Road G. Another deputy arrived first and saw the two people walking away from the car in opposite directions. He attempted to contact the woman, but she refused to speak with him. The second deputy attempted to contact the man, but he had left the area. The vehicle and its contents were photographed, and the vehicle was towed.

Monday, April 13

11:57 a.m. A vehicle reported stolen in Shiprock was seen at a store in the 4200 block of U.S. Highway 160. The Navajo Police Department reported there was an attempt to locate the vehicle. The truck was located at another store, and one of the passengers said the truck belonged to his aunt and that he had borrowed it without her knowledge. When asked a second time why he had the vehicle, the man then said his brother had gotten drunk and he could not find him so he took the truck to return it to his aunt. Statements were taken from the driver and passengers and the Navajo Police Department instructed that the vehicle be released to the owner’s son.

Tuesday, April 14

7:47 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to the jail to serve a warrant to a woman already in custody. One warrant was served.

The Journal