MONDAY, MARCH 21
A deputy was dispatched to a residence in Dolores in reference to a possible break-in that was in progress. On arrival, he spoke to the reporting party, who said that at approximately 3 a.m. she was awakened by the sound of her dog barking upstairs. She reported that it sounded as if her dog was in an altercation with someone or something. As the resident was about to go upstairs to investigate, her dog came rolling down the stairs as if someone had pushed it. She said that the dog was breathing heavily and appeared to be winded. The resident stated that she next heard what sounded like footsteps coming from upstairs approximately one minute after her dog rolled down the steps. She then grabbed a knife and went halfway up the stairs, where she was able to see that a bedroom window was open and its screen was missing; she stated that the bedroom window had been closed when she went to bed about 40 minutes earlier. She turned around and went back downstairs and called 911. The deputy and a second deputy cleared the residence, but they did not find anyone other than the resident and her children. The window was examined for fingerprints, but no usable prints were found. The window screen was found leaning against the outside wall of the bedroom on the roof as if someone had taken it out and set it there. Nothing else appeared to be disturbed, and the resident did not notice anything missing.
A deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 28000 block of U.S. Highway 160 in Cortez to contact a party regarding a stolen cell phone. The resident said two cell phones were taken from her residence. She had last seen these phones on March 16, and noticed the phones missing March 21. The phones had not been activated, as she had been planning to send them back to the vendor. The resident estimated the cost of each phone to be $150 and wanted a police report done to provide to the vendor to prevent her being charged for the phones. The resident stated that her son might be responsible for taking the phones, but she was unsure since she had not seen or heard from him in some time. The resident had no contact information for her son.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
A deputy was traveling westbound on Main Street in Cortez and observed a sedan traveling in front of him. The left rear taillight was broken and was emitting white light. The deputy initiated a traffic stop. The male driver identified himself with a Colorado ID card. There was also a female in the front seat. Both the driver and passenger were smoking cigarettes, and both appeared to have just been lit. The deputy also noticed a case of beer behind the drivers seat. The male driver and the passenger said that they were aware of the broken taillight. Both parties provided identification and denied having consumed any alcohol. A records check revealed that the drivers driving privilege was valid, but that he was restricted to the use of an ignition interlock device. When questioned about why he was driving without one, he said he was just traveling to the store. The driver also stated that he had three prior DUI charges and is currently on probation. He again denied having consumed any alcohol, but the deputy observed that his speech was very distinct, that his eyes were bloodshot and watery, and that he was very flushed. When asked if he would be willing to submit to voluntary roadside maneuvers, he agreed but performed poorly. A portable breath test revealed a 0.157 alcohol level. The legal limit in Colorado is 0.08. The driver then stated that he drank two beers. The driver was placed under arrest for DUI and for violation of restrictions on drivers license regarding interlock device. The vehicle was towed, and during inventory, the deputy observed an open can of beer behind the drivers seat, about one quarter full and still cold.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25
A female came in to the sheriffs office to report a hit and run accident that occurred at the Cortez Municipal Airport. The female stated that she had parked her company vehicle at the airport parking lot. On returning to the vehicle 10 days later, she found that someone had struck the passenger doors of the vehicle, causing extensive damage. The deputy inspected the vehicle and found no transfer evidence. Damage appeared to be a result of a vehicle striking the door while either backing out or pulling into a parking space. The damage appeared to be in excess of $1,500. There are no known suspects.
