CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

March 11, 2015

For Immediate Release

On January 25, 2015 and again on January 31, 2015 numerous vehicles were broken into and items were stolen from those same vehicles which were parked in the Old Monarch Pass area on U.S. Hwy 50 in Chaffee County, Colorado.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation and through this investigation two suspects were identified as James Brent Damon, dob 12/24/1968 and Georgie Louise Hand, dob 01/13/1972. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office learned that the two suspects were wanted on nationwide extradition warrants out of Mississippi. On February 11, 2015 additional arrest warrants were issued by the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office for numerous felony charges. Officer safety bulletins were also sent out by the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office to all law enforcement agencies statewide and to surrounding states as well based on the suspect’s criminal histories and information received through the investigation.

On March 9, 2015 a Moffat County Sheriff’s deputy and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer responded to a suspicious vehicle call on U.S. Hwy 40 near Dinosaur, Colorado. The officers encountered a male and female who briefly took the officers hostage. During the incident a struggle ensued and a male suspect was shot and killed. The female suspect was taken into custody.

The male who was shot and killed has been identified as James Brent Damon, dob 12/24/1968. The female suspect was identified as Georgie Louise Hand, dob 01/13/1972.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For release Monday, March 16, 2015

Crestone Avenue will be closed between “L” Street and Park Place (in Salida) on Tuesday, March 17th, beginning at noon.  Additionally the parking lots for the Chaffee County Judicial Complex and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office parking lot, accessed off West 3rd Street behind the Judicial Complex, will be closed to the public.  These closures are being implemented as preventative measures due a court hearing in District Court that poses a potential security risk.  The closures will remain in effect for the duration of the hearing, which is expected to conclude in the afternoon of March 17th.

This closure will not affect normal operations of the Chaffee County Administration Building, which includes the County Clerk’s Office, the County Assessor’s Office, the County Treasurer’s Office, the Building Department, and the District Attorney’s Office.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release, Monday, March 16, 2015

A 30 year old Fairplay man was flown by helicopter from the scene of a dirt bike crash in the Four Mile Area Saturday evening. Andy Porter suffered several broken bones, including ribs, collar bone, and possibly his sternum, after crashing on Forest Service Road 376 near Spanish Mill.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue was summoned to assist in accessing the patient, as rescue efforts were severely hampered by the rugged terrain and deep mud. Eventually, through the use of four wheel drive vehicles and ATV’s, Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, Colorado State Patrol, a Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and members of Search and Rescue were able to locate Porter. A Flight for Life helicopter landed near the crash site and flew Porter to a trauma center in Denver.

The accident is being investigated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife with assistance from Colorado State Patrol.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release, Monday, March 23, 2015

Arrest made in Poncha Mini Storage Burglary investigation.

Joshua (Josh) Ross Oswald, a 40 year old Salida resident, was arrested Monday morning in connection with a burglar that occurred at the Poncha Mini Storage Units sometime during the weekend of March 6th, 2015. A single storage unit, belonging to P and G Painting was broken into and several pieces of specialized painting equipment were stolen from the unit. Oswald is a former employee of P and G Painting and was familiar with the storage unit and what was kept there.

The investigation led Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Detectives to a pawn shop in Colorado Springs where some of the stolen items were pawned. Detective Sergeant Andy Rohrich worked closely with Colorado Springs Police Department investigators during the investigation, identifying Oswald as the suspect in the burglary. Det. Sgt. Rohrich successfully obtained a warrant for Oswald’s arrest, charging him with Second Degree Burglary and Theft, both felonies. Oswald’s bond was set at $15,000. He was arrested Monday morning without incident.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

On April 4, 2015 at approximately 8:45p the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of stolen farm implements from Sharpe Equipment on W Hwy 50 in Salida, Colorado.

Deputies responded to the scene and contacted an employee who advised that they discovered a Massey Ferguson tractor and Massey Ferguson swather missing from the business. Deputies were in the process of obtaining possible suspect information when another call was received from the Western Convenience Store, W Hwy 50 in Poncha Springs, of a possible Robbery and Kidnapping. A suspect vehicle description was provided by reporting parties and this information was immediately aired to local law enforcement agencies.

Personnel from the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Salida Police Department and Colorado State Patrol were responding to the scene when a possible suspect vehicle was spotted leaving the vicinity of the Western Convenience Store. The suspect vehicle was stopped and three parties were contacted in the vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene at the Western Convenience Store and contacted the clerk. She advised that an unknown male had entered the convenience store and was acting suspicious. A short time later the clerk reported that she and the male became involved in an altercation and the male drug her to the back office and advised that he was going to rob her. He then attempted tie her up using phone cord. At this point a customer walked into the convenience store spooking the suspect who then fled and got a ride in the vehicle in which he was stopped in a short time later.

Suspect descriptions were received from the reporting parties at both Sharpe Equipment and the Western Convenience Store and it was determined that the suspect was in fact in the vehicle originally stopped. The suspect was identified as Daniel John Macnab, age 49 from Buena Vista, Colorado.

As the investigation was continuing another call of a stolen vehicle was received from a residence in Poncha Springs. The vehicle was described as a 2010 Jeep Compass, red in color. That vehicle information was aired to personnel and the vehicle was located in the parking lot of the Western Convenience Store. Further investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly stole the vehicle, drove it to the Western Convenience Store and abandoned it there.

Daniel Macnab was booked into the Chaffee County detention Facility on the following charges:

Robbery, Criminal Attempt a class 5 Felony
2nd Deg Kidnapping a class 2 Felony
1st Deg Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft a Class 5 Felony
2nd Deg Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft a Class 5 Felony
3rd Deg Assault a Class 1 Misdemeanor
2nd Deg Criminal Tampering a Class 2 Misdemeanor
False Imprisonment a Class 5 Felony
Harassment a Class 3 Misdemeanor.

This investigation is continuing and more charges are anticipated

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release, Monday, June 1, 2015

Chaffee County Sheriff’s Deputies break up underage drinking party on Mount Shavano.

After receiving multiple tips of an underage drinking party Friday night on Mt. Shavano, deputies responded to the area to investigate. Arriving in the area at approximately 9:20 p.m., they discovered approximately 200 people gathered on public lands off County Road 252 near Mt. Shavano. Deputies estimated that approximately 50 to 60 persons fled into the woods upon their arrival. Deputies quickly assessed that the majority of persons present were under the legal drinking age of 21 years old and that several of them had been consuming alcoholic beverages.

Approximately 75 teens and young adults submitted to breath testing for alcohol; ten were charged with Illegal Possession / Consumption of Ethyl Alcohol by an Underage Person, a class 2 petty offense. Among those charged were 20 year old Timothy Devos of Salida, 19 year old Colton Lambert of Poncha Springs, 20 year old Andrew Lennie of Salida, 18 year old Allison Lofton of Salida, and 19 year old Justin Parker of Salida. Five juveniles ranging from 15 to 17 years old were also charged and released to their parents.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release, Thursday, June 4, 2015

At 12:04 p.m. today, the Chaffee County Communications Center received a broken 911 call from a party who had fallen during his decent of Missouri Mountain. Dispatchers were able to establish correspondence via text messaging with the injured party and ascertained that he had fallen approximately 40 feet down a couloir while glissading between the summit of Missouri Mountain and Elkhead Pass. Twenty-three year old Ben Ficke, most recently of New York, reported that he sustained severe lacerations to one arm, cuts and bruises to the other arm, and a broken ankle.

Due to the nature of his injuries, a Flight For Life helicopter was called in to assist in locating and extracting Mr. Ficke. Flight For Life was able to visually locate Mr. Ficke, but the rugged terrain prevented them from landing. A three member Search and Rescue Team was flown in to a landing zone approximately half a mile from Mr. Ficke. The three member team hiked up to Mr. Ficke, provided necessary medical treatment and were able to hike him down to the helicopter; Mr. Ficke was transported by Flight For Life to Summit County Medical Center. During the Rescue Operation, one of the Search and Rescue members began suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness, a.k.a. altitude sickness. A second Flight For Life helicopter was summoned and flew to the aid of the rescuer, airlifting him from Missouri Mountain. Upon reaching lower elevations, the rescuer was treated by Chaffee County EMS personnel and then was released.

Approximately 19 members of North and South End Search and Rescue responded to the area, plus 4 support staff. Search and Rescue was assisted by two members of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Chaffee County Office of Emergency Management, Chaffee County Fire Protection District, and Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE
Date for release: Immediately
On June 10, 2015 at approximately 3:40 pm there was a whitewater related boating incident on the Arkansas River in Chaffee County, Colorado. The accident occurred at the Big Drop Rapids, a class 3 section of water located approximately 11 miles north of Salida, Colorado. The Arkansas River was running at 3020 CFS at the time of the accident.
According to witnesses the raft, a commercial rafting trip owned by The Adventure Company, of Johnsons Village, Colorado, entered the Big Drop Rapids in Browns Canyon. The raft high sided and 3 occupants of that raft fell into the river. Two of the three rafters were pulled to safety by other rafts in the area. A third occupant was not recovered.
Emergency crews responded to the area and a search began immediately. The search continued until nightfall at which time the victim had yet to be recovered.
The search for the victim will resume at first light tomorrow morning, June 11, 2015.
The victim was identified as an 11 year old male from Golden, Colorado.
Agencies assisting with the search operation were the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Chaffee County EMS, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and South, Salida Fire Dept, Salida Police Dept and Flight for Life.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

Date for Release: Immediately

On June 12, 2015 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office continued its search efforts for a missing 11 year old male who fell from a commercial raft into the Arkansas River on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. The victim fell from the raft while in the Big Drop section of water in Browns Canyon. Browns Canyon is approximately 14 miles north of Salida in Chaffee County, Colorado.

Today’s search efforts concentrated on high probability areas that were identified from search efforts the past two days. Search resources today included ground search crews, ATV crews, water vessel crews, air scent dogs and a Heavy Rescue team from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

At approximately 12:00 pm an air scent dog alerted in the Big Drop rapid section of water. Searchers began probing the area with Pike Poles and dislodged a helmet that matched the description of the same helmet the victim was wearing at the time of the accident. It was then determined that the commercial rafters in the area were hindering search efforts so the Arkansas River was closed to rafting above the Big Drop section of water. Searchers then resumed probing the water and an underwater camera was utilized to possibly find the victim.

At approximately 1:20 pm searchers identified what they believed to be the victim trapped in either rocks or debris underwater in the same general area. Searchers were able to dislodge the victim from the entrapment and the victim was recovered.

The Chaffee County Coroner responded and pronounced the victim deceased. He was then transported to the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office in Salida, Colorado. The Chaffee County Coroner will release the identity of the victim.

At the time the victim was recovered the Arkansas River at Nathrop was running at 3800 cfs. The water in the search area was running extremely fast and high and visibility in the water was at about one inch.

Search crews, totaling 48 personnel, included the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and South, Chaffee County EMS and the Colorado Springs Fire Department Heavy Rescue team.

Press Release: Chaffee CountySearch and Rescue South (CCSAR-S)
For Immediate Release
Sunday, June 27, 2015

Chaffee County Search and Rescue Assists Injured Mountain Biker

Chaffee County Search and Rescue-South (CCSAR-S) assistedanEdwards woman who suffered a hip injury on the Little Rainbow Trail on Saturday. A member of the biking groupcontacted Chaffee County Communications Center at about 1:00pm to report that Beverly Freedman, 64 had slipped and injured her hip while mountain biking.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South mobilized 9 rescuers who stabilized her injury and carried Freedman down the trail to a waiting ambulance using a “big wheel” Stokes litter.

CCSAR-S would like to remind everyone that the monsoon season is underway and it is especially important to finish your hike or ride early in the day to avoid thunderstorms. Don’t forget to pack rain gear and plenty of food and water. More information on what to bring can be found at http://chaffeesarsouth.org.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

Date for release: Immediately

On Thursday, July 2, 2015, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a large mudslide on county road 344 at Cottonwood Lake. When sheriff’s office personnel arrived they discovered that there had been approximately 6 different slides blocking county road 344, adjacent to Cottonwood Lake. Several vehicles were trapped in between the slides, however no vehicles were caught in the slides themselves. Approximately 150 people, staying in the Cottonwood Campground, which is just above the slide area, were cutoff from exiting the area. The slides were all approximately 100 feet long and ranged from three feet in depth to over fifteen feet in depth. No damage or injuries were reported or observed.

As sheriff personnel were surveying the situation they encountered numerous large boulders falling from the steep hillside to the west of the road and mud continued to slide downhill towards the road. It was determined at that time that the area was not safe and the campground would be evacuated.

Chaffee County Road and Bridge personnel responded with two large loaders and within three hours the road was re-opened and all occupants of the campground were evacuated.
Cottonwood Campground was ordered closed and will remain so until at least Saturday July 4 and possibly later depending on weather and conditions in the area.

As all this was taking place a large creek above county road 344 and to the west began to flood. The water was running downhill and threatened a bridge on county road 344. The water had to be diverted by using heavy equipment and sandbags.

The American Red Cross was called and a shelter was set up in the Town of Buena Vista for those needing a place to stay after the campground was evacuated and closed.

The National Weather Service is predicting possible heavy rain for the area over the next several days. Sheriff personnel will monitor the situation closely for the next several days.

Those assisting with the situation were the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Chaffee County Fire Protection District, Chaffee County EMS, and Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and South

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release.

Local man arrested after gas station robbery and standoff.

A Johnson Village resident, James Sheard, 62 years old, is in custody after a robbery at the Gunsmoke Truck Stop and subsequent stand off at his residence.  The Chaffee County Communications Center received a call at2:04 on July 5th, 2015 from the Gunsmoke Truck Stop located on Highway 24 / 285 in Johnson Village reporting the robbery.  Sergeant Jesse Cortese of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident, arriving just after the suspect had fled the area.  The clerk reported to Sgt. Cortese that Sheard had entered the truck stop, assaulted the clerk, and then fled with an item.  The clerk received minor facial injuries during the assault; Sheard, a regular customer, was known to the clerk.

Sgt. Cortese, along with two officers from the Buena Vista Police Department responded to Sheard’s residence in the Collegiate Valley Mobile Home Park, across the highway from the Gunsmoke Truck Stop.  Sheard exited the residence in a violent manner, then quickly retreated inside, barricading the door.  Sheard’s girlfriend was also inside the residence, but was non-participatory in the incident.

Due to the circumstances, law enforcement officers retreated from the front door of the residence and requested the activation of the Chaffee County Tactical Team.  Seven of the surrounding mobile homes were evacuated for the safety of the occupants, and a Code Red announcement was sent to the remainder of the mobile home park, advising residents to shelter in place.

Attempts were made to contact Sheard by phone; however, his phone was disconnected.  Deputies began to make continuous announcements utilizing a Public Address System in a Patrol Vehicle, ordering Sheard to exit the residence.  He refused to communicate or comply, but began throwing objects out his windows at law enforcement officers.

Due to the increasing non-compliance of Sheard, several canisters of pepper based gas were introduced into the residence.  Sheard and his girlfriend subsequently exited the residence and were taken into custody without further incident.  Both were checked by Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, and found to be medically stable.  The standoff lasted approximately two hours and forty five minutes.  Residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes after Sheard was taken into custody and a second Code Red announcement was sent out to area residents, advising them that the incident had been resolved.

Due to the heat of one of the gas canisters, a small fire was started in the debris on the floor of one of the bedrooms.  The fire was quickly extinguished by Tactical Team members and personnel from the Chaffee County Fire Protection District, who had been standing by.  There was no structural damage to the residence from the fire.

Sheard’s girlfriend was found to be heavily intoxicated; after being checked by EMS, she was released to her mother.  Sheard was transported to the Chaffee County Detention Center where he was charged with Robbery (a class 4 felony), Third Degree Assault (a class 1 misdemeanor), Failure to leave the Premises Upon Request (a class 2 misdemeanor) and Theft (a class 1 petty offense).  His bond was set at $5000.

Agencies assisting the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office in this incident included the Buena Vista Police Department, Chaffee County Fire Protection District, Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, and Sangre De Cristo Electric.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

Date for release: Immediately

On July 6, 2015 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service and Chaffee County Road and Bridge met at the slide area adjacent to Cottonwood Lake. The area was surveyed for any more slide activity and to assess the safety of the area. The area appeared to be stabilizing however the National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rains in the area both Monday afternoon and Tuesday. If there are more rains the area will be checked once again to determine stability.

As is stands at this time County Road 344 and the Cottonwood Lake area and Cottonwood Campground will remain closed thru Wednesday, July 8, 2015. Over the next two days Chaffee County Road and Bridge will be working to remove all the debris left behind after last weeks mudslide.

 On Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 0600 access will open to Cottonwood Lake and campground barring any unforeseen issues.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release.

Three hikers are injured and one was killed by a lightning strike on Mt. Yale earlier this afternoon.

The incident took place just above tree line, at approximately 12,400 feet, on the Mt. Yale Trail. Initial reports indicated that two people were struck and injured; however, responders were later able to confirm that four persons were struck, with two of the victim’s being in critical condition. Due to the ruggedness and steepness of the trail, it took responders several hours to reach the location of the injured people. Two of those struck reported that they lost consciousness for approximately three to five seconds, but otherwise felt no lasting effects. These two were able to hike out on their own after speaking with rescuers, and were evaluated by EMS personnel at the trailhead and released. They were from the Colorado Springs area, but were not part of the same group as the other two who were struck.

A 32 year old Denver man was evacuated by Flight For Life from the scene of the lightning strike and taken to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs; he was in critical but stable condition. The fourth victim, also from the Denver area, was a 31 year old female who was pronounced deceased on the mountain by the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office at 8:10 p.m.

It is believed that the lightning strike occurred sometime between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m.; however, there is no cell service in the area, so witnesses hiked from the area, then drove to where they could call 911. The first call came in at 2:05 p.m. Search and Rescue personnel and EMS personnel were immediately dispatched to the area.

Twenty Six members from the Chaffee County Search and Rescue North responded to this incident and were assisted by Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chaffee County Coroner’s Office.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release.

Search and Rescue responds to dual calls for help.

On Monday, July 20th, 2015 at approximately 2:13 p.m. the Chaffee County Communications Center received a 911 call from a lost hiker on Mt. Shavano. Nearly thirty minutes later, they received another, unrelated 911 call for help from two hikers below the summit of Mt. Columbia.

The lost hiker on Mt. Shavano reported that he was descending Mt. Shavano and got caught up in heavy fog, losing his way. He reported that he was not in any other distress, but simply needed directions in how to descend the mountain safely. Chaffee County Search and Rescue South volunteers were able to provide him with directions from his location back to the trailhead. The lost party reached the trailhead at approximately 6:56 p.m.

A 25 year old female and a 24 year old male hiking on Mt. Columbia reported similar circumstances, calling 911 and reporting that they had lost the trail due to heavy rain and fog. They also reported seeing numerous lightning strikes in the area. Chaffee County Search and Rescue North volunteers were able to speak with these parties on the phone and learned that the male party was hypothermic and needing assistance. The two hikers were directed toward Frenchman’s Creek drainage and began to descend into the drainage. Two search teams were deployed, one up Frenchman’s Creek, and a second along the Colorado Trail. The search team in Frenchman’s Creek drainage located the two hikers, and assisted them down the drainage and back to their vehicle. The lost hikers returned to the trailhead around 6:40 p.m.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

On 08/09/15 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center to contact a victim of a stabbing. When deputies arrived they spoke with the victim, Dominic Gallegos, a 29 year old male from Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to Gallegos he and numerous friends were camping in the area of county road 340a near Buena Vista when he and a friend, James Browning, a 29 year old male from Rio Rancho, New Mexico became involved in an argument. According to Gallegos he attempted to walk away from the argument when he was attacked by Browning who was wielding a large machete. Browning struck Gallegos in the left elbow and left back with the machete causing slashes to both areas. Browning fled the scene after the attack. The victim was transported to HRRMC by friends.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office immediately put out a bolo to other law enforcement agencies in an attempt to locate Browning. A short time later the Antonito Police Department located Browning in Antonito, Colorado where he was taken into custody.

Browning is charged with Second Degree Assault, a class 4 felony and Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, a class 5 felony. Browning is being held on a $10,000 bond.

The victim, Dominic Gallegos was treated and released from HRRMC.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Over the past several days Brady’s West Garden Center, Salida, Colorado, was the victim of the theft of numerous landscape items and a laptop computer. It was determined that unknown parties had entered the grounds by taking apart a portion of the perimeter fence. Once this was done the items were removed and the fence was wired back together.

On 08/11/2015 Deputy Cory Orth went to 648 Hunt St in an attempt to locate Johnathan Tischer, age 29 from Salida, Colorado, who had an outstanding arrest warrant. Deputy Orth knocked on the door and was invited in by another party living in the residence. When Deputy Orth entered the property he observed several items that matched the description of merchandise taken from Brady’s West. Based on this discovery a search warrant was obtained and numerous items were seized from the residence. Tischer was not in the residence at that time.

An arrest warrant was requested and issued for Johnathan Tischer for the charges of Burglary, a class 4 felony, Second Degree Criminal Trespass, a class 3 misdemeanor and Theft, a class 6 felony.

Tischer remains at large at the time of this press release.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

On 09/23/15 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in regards to two overdue female hikers. According to a family member of one of the hikers, Kennah Karner, age 22 and Katie Mayer, age 21, both from the Denver metro area had gone hiking in the Mt Belford/Mt Oxford area and had failed to call when they were expected to leave the area.

Chaffee County Sheriff personnel responded to the Missouri Gulch trailhead and located the vehicle belonging to the overdue hikers.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue North was contacted and a search was launched in the early morning hours of 09/24/15.

Ground crews from both Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and Chaffee County Search and Rescue South began to scour the area.

Flight for Life and the Air National Guard, HATC Unit were called and both sent helicopters to the area to assist with the search.

At approximately 1130 hours Flight for Life personnel spotted one of the missing hikers on a rocky slide area on Missouri Mountain. The Air National Guard was also in the area and was able to use their pulley system and pull the female into the chopper. A short time later the second hiker was spotted along with the two dogs she was hiking with. Ground SAR members were directed to the second female and she was escorted out of the area on foot by SAR members.

Neither of the hikers required medical attention.

For immediate release

On June 12, 1980 Beverly England, a 32 year old female from Salida, Colorado was reported missing by her husband after she failed to return home that same evening. The Salida Police Department was notified and launched an investigation into her disappearance immediately.

It was learned from the investigation at that time that Beverly England was last seen alive in Salida with another female. Numerous persons were interviewed during the investigation and Beverly England was listed as a missing person, however she was not located and investigators ran out of leads.

In September of 2015 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Salida Police Department were notified by the University of North Texas that they had confirmed that a set of bones had matched DNA belonging to Beverly England. These bones were recovered from the Mount Shavano area in 1992 and turned over to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office at that same time. These same bones were submitted to a Forensic Pathologist for examination and through advanced DNA technology a positive id was made matching that of Beverly England.

With this notification the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office and the Salida Police Department re-opened the investigation into the disappearance of Beverly England. The site where the bones were discovered was identified and at this time is being excavated for evidence by investigators.

Through this investigation several key items of evidence have been recovered which led investigators to believe that Beverly England died as the victim of foul play.

With the identification of Beverly England the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Salida Police Department formed a task force made up of investigators assigned primarily to the suspicious death of Beverly England.

Randy Amettis, Chaffee County Coroner has also made positive identification being that of Beverly England. Family members have been notified of the of Beverly England’s identification.

Both Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze and Salida Police Chief Terry Clark want to assure everyone that they are putting their full resources and support into this investigation.

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

Fie immediate release

On November 8, 2015 at approximately 2:15 pm the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office received a call of shots fired at a residence south of W Hwy 50.

Upon arrival Officers contacted family members who related that a male, later identified as Andrew Ruffin, 12/16/86, had become quite agitated and began to make threats to harm himself and other family members. According to the complainant she began to feel threatened and was in fear for her own safety so she snuck away from Ruffin and attempted to leave the location in her own vehicle. The complainant stated that as she pulled away from the location the suspect, Andrew Ruffin, drew a pistol and shot at her as she was driving from the residence. The victim, who was uninjured, fled the scene and was contacted by members of the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Salida Police Department.

Officers then responded to the residence where Ruffin was last seen and it was learned after a thorough search that he had fled the residence into the Methodist Mountain area. Officers continued to search till after nightfall however Ruffin was not located.

On 11/09/2015 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the same location as before. According to the complainants they were driving past the location where the suspect, Andrew Ruffin, had been on the previous date and observed him in the dwelling. Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and Salida Police personnel both responded and Ruffin once again fled back into the Mount Methodist area. Officers continued to search the area and located the suspect in his vehicle. The suspect began to drive towards uniform officers to where they felt in fear for their lives. Personnel from both the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Salida Police Department fired their weapons at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it and stop the threat. The suspect continued past the officers at a high rate of speed however he wrecked the vehicle a short distance away. More personnel were called to the area to help search for the suspect and a short time later Ruffin was located and taken into custody without incident.

Ruffin was transported to the Chaffee County Detention Facility where he was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit First Degree Assault, a class 4 felony, Felony Menacing, a class 5 felony, Criminal Mischief, a class 6 felony and Theft, a class 3 misdemeanor.