Southern Colorado Alerts

13/10/2023

22/04/2023

DETECTIVES OFFERING A REWARD FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHO KILLED RICHARD "RICHIE" LOVATO - The Denver Police Department is asking the public for assistance with the investigation into the murder of 18- year-old Richard “Richie” Lovato, pictured here.

Lovato was shot in the area of West 14th Avenue and North Meade Street in Denver on Monday, April 17, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m. He died at an area hospital.

His aunt, Kimberly Lovato, of Pueblo told Fox31 that he was close to her like a son:

“Richie was a very happy, loving young man who cared deeply about his family. and we just really miss him."

She and family members have said that he had been texting his girlfriend about a dispute at a party just before he was shot.

Fox31 reported that Lovato texted he was going to confront someone who was spitting on others, but that he was beat up instead.

Sadly, that was the last texts from him. The young man left behind a two year old child, and many who loved him.

Anyone with information regarding the individual(s) responsible for Mr. Lovato’s death are asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers immediately tan (720) 913-7867 - (720) 913-STOP
Submit a tip online: https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/anonymous-tips

To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line or submit a tip online. Crime Stoppers collects information on unsolved crimes or individuals wanted by the police. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.

Click here to donate to Lovato’s memorial fund - https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-richard-lil-rich-lovato-jr

Photo from GoFundMe.

22/04/2023

15/04/2023

(UPDATE FIRE IS 100 PERCENT CONTAINED)- PUEBLO FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES EVACUATION NOTICE FOR RESIDENTS NEAR BEULAH FIRE - Saturday afternoon the Pueblo Fire Department issued an evacuation order for Beulah due to a growing wildfire, located at 3621 North Creek in Beulah.

In the early afternoon, the fire had expanded to about 50 acres and was zero percent contained, according to officials.

The evacuation order is for Red Mountain Youth Camp, west to the county line. About 20 homes are in the evacuation zone.

Here are the sheriff's instructions:

Volunteers are available at the 4 BAR S Ranch, 6625 State Hwy 78, to assist with evacuating horses. Meet at the ranch.

The Red Cross is setting up an evacuation center at Roncalli STEM Academy, 4202 State Hwy 78.

Livestock animals with the exception of horses, accepted at Colo. State Fairgrounds, enter Gate 4. Horses can be taken to 4 BAR S Ranch, 6625 State Hwy 78. Domestic animals accepted at HHPPR, 4600 Eagleridge Pl.

The North Creek Road is closed from the Red Mountain Youth Ranch to the Custer County Line. The public is asked to please avoid the area of the 3600 block of North Creek Road in Beulah so responders can get to the area of the fire. See less

Residents need to keep up on any new alerts in Pueblo County as well as Custer County, in the case that the fire spreads that way.

Photo courtesy Pueblo County Sheriff's Department.

11/04/2023

THE IN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY STILL AT 0 PERCENT CONTAINMENT AS OF NOON TUESDAY - The Las Animas County Sheriff's Department updated the public just before noon on Tuesday, that the fire about ten miles west of Aguilar at Trujillo Creek, that sparked on Monday, is still at a 0 percent containment.

About 100 acres have been scorched thus far, according to officials. Evacuations remain in effect at this time, as crews from various agencies fight the fire.

The Office of Emergency Management is on scene with fire crew, according to the sheriff.

The County Emergency Manager is the PIO for this incident. Any updates will be posted to the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office page.

Source - https://www.facebook.com/LasAnimasCountySheriff/posts/pfbid0RoYDvX9EC9twUPJVSPESuFhehLRrS35Ym6T49WpjdwH6SxVWvJ99WwWGMEJDRkkPl

Photo courtesy La Vita Fire Department post on FB.

13/01/2023

Do you know a 5th grade student in Colorado? The annual “Bringing Our Missing Children Home” poster contest is now underway. Posters are being accepted until February 10, 2023. Please see contest details, including information about the national poster selection process here: https://cbi.colorado.gov/missing-children-poster-contest
Pictured below: Colorado’s 2022 “Bringing Our Missing Children Home” poster contest winner.

04/10/2022

- - OWNERS OF "STOKE PIZZA" FOOD TRUCK ASKS PUBLIC TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS RED TRAILER USED TO COOK PIZZA (PLEASE SHARE) -The popular Pueblo-based food truck company "Stoke Pizza," which often sells pizza's at Walter's Brewery at least 3-4 days a week, as well as from other locations, is now unable to do such due to their stolen trailer that houses their pizza maker, photographed here.

The owners, a young couple that operates mostly in Pueblo, and at tims in Denver and other places and does catering, posted on Facebook asking the public to be on the lookout for the trailer:

"A few days ago someone stole this trailer of ours in front of our house. We have filed a police report and are really hoping that it makes it's way back to us. As of right now we won't be back to Walter's until next season. Please keep an eye out!"

IF YOU SEE THIS TRAILER - CONTACT THE POLICE AND/OR THE COUPLE DIRECT!

Originating post at Stoke Pizza on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StokePizza/posts/pfbid0dCbE5bAzHdXUQqEzgYZo537oEPyApdEWMmUHoVY3T9Vi5bYRf3pSNT5KHt2sL3rPl

The owners can be reached through Facebook or email or phone, provided here - www.stokdpizza.com.

29/09/2022

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11/09/2022

- MISSING WOMAN AND CHILDREN FROM PUEBLO - Pueblo Police are attempting to locate 33-year-old, Marya Garcia and her children, 4-year-old, Umalia “Molly”García, and 2-year-old, Aemiliaus “Emilio” García. They were last seen in the 2700 block of Spruce Street.

Family is very concerned for Marya and the children.

Please contact the PPD if you have any information on the whereabouts of Marya and her children.

Source - PPD on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PuebloPolice/posts/pfbid02PgSwavSt8stdAu7K3WYbXWDnJu8TYwpM8XnN12q3xL53VF2NGNxtxa1VVVcdH5hKl

28/08/2022

- The Monte Vista Police Department is attempting to locate Guerrero Reyes, 37, who is wanted for eluding, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer. He also has two active warrants out of the metro area for domestic violence and child abuse. If you know his whereabouts, contact CSP Dispatch at 719-589-5807.

27/08/2022

POLICE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE STABBING DEATH IN LA JUNTA - The Colorado Bureau of Investigations is assisting the La Junta Police Department with the investigation of an early morning August 12, 2022 case of a man found injured at 9th Street and Santa Fe Avenue.

Officials believe the victim was actually stabbed at his residence in the 600 block of Colorado Avenue in La Junta, fled, and asked a citizen for help. The victim, now identified as Charles Shane Cheatham, 47, died at the hospital where he was transported.

His death was ruled a homicide by the coroner.

Because police have not named a suspect or made any arrests in the case, friends and family are speaking out, calling for "Justice for Shane," with a Facebook group named as such.

Cheatham, a well-known La Junta tattoo artist went by the nickname of Shano-O. He hosted live music at his tattoo shop, Brutal Ink, that he started in the early 2000s. Most recently he was practicing a variety of artwork, woodwork and was doing tattoos again after time off.

Many say they are worried that the case may go unsolved and friends and family will have to wonder the rest of their lives what brutally happened to him.

Anyone with information about the murder of Charles Cheatham are encouraged to call the La Junta Police Department at 719-384-2525.

Justice for Shane - https://www.facebook.com/groups/448178697236875/

See more about the case by SECO News - http://seconews.org/page/3526?fbclid=IwAR3hKovSVNtuE0JI2QQhWnU7W6EBVYg1srLzHwluNxIMlRU6wVH1Kdv8OtQ

21/08/2022

GREELEY MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH AN AUGUST 13 SHOOTING IN COSTILLA COUNTY - The Costilla County Sheriff’s Office announced that a 25-year-old Greeley man was arrested in connection with a shooting in Costilla County on August 13, 2022.

Following a week-long investigation, a warrant was issued for Rondell W. Brown (DOB: 09/20/1996). Brown was arrested at his home in the evening hours of Friday, August 19, 2022.

Brown was taken to the Weld County Jail where he is currently being held on $150,000 bond and faces charges of second degree murder and three counts of felony menacing.

Jesus Lozano, 51, was shot at a rural property owned by his fiancé in the 900 block of Wilking Way in the Sangre de Cristo Subdivision on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

He was later pronounced deceased at an Alamosa hospital.

Preliminary information is that there may have been a disturbance at the residence leading up to the shooting. It’s believed that Brown is a family acquaintance.

Deputies with the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, continue to investigate the incident. If you have any information please contact law enforcement.

Mugshot of Brown

Source: https://www.facebook.com/CostillaCountySheriff/posts/pfbid0iBkh5NyG5Qt6u4rGsLcpK8hxKrhvbUgJ3xzmUoVGhGeKyQaDzx7WnypFagFcQH34l

20/08/2022

SPRINGFIELD, COLORADO, ONE OF THREE SMALL TOWNS IN THE U.S. THAT LOST THEIR ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN ABOUT A MONTH OF EACH OTHER - By Jenny Paulson - Early this summer, the Chief of Police and the other two police officers that manned the small Springfield, Colorado police department gave their resignations to the Town Trustees. This forced the small town in Southeast Colorado to shut down their police department entirely for a time.

The Springfield Chief of Police, Katrina Martin, cited "personal reasons" in her letter of resignation, according to Trustees. Another officer, Dustin Martin, her husband, was one of the two others to resign. Both he and the other officer were relatively new to the field, hired by Chief Martin as recent graduates of the Otero College.
Then, by mid-July, 2022, the Baca County Sheriff's Department announced that they would take over the role of police protection until the Town Trustees could hire a new staff.

This week, Springfield, Colorado made recent news in the Miami Herald, cited by a reporter for being one of three small towns in a row this summer that lost their entire police force.
In Melborne Village, Florida, six police officers submitted their resignations on August 15, 2022, without disclosing the reasons they left. As is the case in Colorado, the sheriff's department is taking over public safety in the meantime of the small town.

The Miami Herald reported that another small town, Kenly, North Carolina, lost it's police chief and police officers over a conflict with a new town manager in early August, citing the department was "understaffed and stressed."

That left the town without a police force and the nearby county sheriff's department is now taking over patrol the small town.

That three towns within a month of each other, losing their entire police force's may seem unusual, but at a national level, there has been a downward trend of those wanting to work in the field, with a 19 percent increase in resignations of law enforcement nation wide in the last few years, according to one source.

In Pueblo, a number of Pueblo Police Department officers have resigned who no longer want to work in the field, leading to a 30-40 officer shortage here locally (the details of which are for another story). The Pueblo County Sheriff's Department is also short staffed in deputies and jail workers as well.

Jenny Paulson is publisher of Southern Colorado Independent News and can be reached through Messenger.

Miami Herald article - https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article264659079.html

19/08/2022

UPDATE AUG. 30, 2022: Stella has been LOCATED and she is SAFE! Many thanks to all who shared this post! 💙

🛑47 YEAR OLD FEMALE FROM LA JARA, CO SINCE AUG. 11, 2022🛑

🔵Virginia Stella Murphy is 47 years old and she was last seen in on Aug. 11th.

🔵Virginia has brown eyes and hair
and she is 5'0” tall.

🔵Virginia has a yin yang tattoo on her lower back.

If you see Virginia or know of her whereabouts, please call the at 719-274-5886.

17/08/2022

UPDATE 8/18/22: Gerald has been FOUND and he is SAFE! Thanks to all who shared his picture! 💙

🛑MAN MISSING FROM THE , CO AREA🛑

From the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office:

“*******MISSING PERSON*********
Gerald Edward Oakes was last seen about 0900 Tuesday morning in the Moffat Area. Approximately 50 years old with brown hair and brown eyes.

If you see him or know where he is please call the Saguache County Sheriff's Office at 719-655-2544.

Saguache County Search & Rescue has been notified and will begin searching in the morning.

Please call if you know anything. ”

14/08/2022

MOTORHOME ACCIDENT ON I-25 JUST SOUTH OF PUEBLO KILLS TWO PEOPLE - A tire blowout in a 2006 motorhome caused a single-vehicle crash just after noon seven miles south of Pueblo at about noon on Saturday. The motorhome collided into a fence and power pole, landing upside down, causing the death of a 64-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man.

The accident happened in Pueblo County so the Pueblo County Coroner will identify the names of the deceased after their next of kin is notified.

Photo by Daneen Casaus, who drove by the scene, as shared in comments of this post.

13/08/2022

11/08/2022

UPDATE 8/18/22: Dylan has been FOUND and he is SAFE! Many thanks to all who shared this post! 💙

🛑14 YEAR OLD MALE, MISSING/RUNAWAY FROM TAOS, NM SINCE AUG. 8, 2022🛑

🔵Dylan Sanchez is 14 years old and he is 5’2” tall. He weighs 120 pounds and he has brown eyes and black hair.

🔵Dylan was last seen on August 8, 2022, around 7:40 p.m., running away from Walmart and 525 Ranchitos Road in Taos, NM.

🔵Dylan was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and white shoes.

If you have any information regarding Dylan’s whereabouts, please call the New Mexico State Police Taos office at (505) 425-6771 option 1 or dial 911.

11/08/2022

PREDATOR POACHERS MEMBER DENNIS WOLLMAN, 59, OF FLORENCE ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN - According to a press release by the Florence Police Department, Wollman was arrested on a warrant upon allegations of s*xual exploitation of children, a class 3 felony. Police say he allegedly lured at least one child.

He was caught utilizing the internet in search for child po*******hy, according to police. This was discovered on an internet group from Austin, TX called "Predator Poachers."

This company tracks those who are luring children under the age of 18 on the internet. They provided evidence to the Florence Police Department about Wollman, who allegedly sent "n**e pictures' To an eleven year old and attempted to entice her and her six year old sister to come to Colorado for s*x and more at his home. Police obtained his cell phone as proof of such.

08/08/2022

- HUERFANO STATE PATROL IS INVESTIGATING A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT THAT LEFT A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY SERIOUSLY INJURED SATURDAY NIGHT - At about 10:30 pm, the Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene where a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Highway 69 in the small town of Gardner in Huerfano County.

The pedestrian that was hit by the vehicle that fled was identified as a 13-year-old boy from Gardner.

The boy was taken by flight for life to a hospital in Colorado Springs for treatment, for what authorities say are serious injuries.

Gardner is a small community halfway between the Wet Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Huerfano County. The population is just over 300.

If anyone has information about the incident, contact State Trooper Glen Brown at (719) 544- 2424.

07/08/2022

THUNDERSTORM ALERT - SUNDAY AFTERNOON ALERT - The US National Weather Service Pueblo Colorado posted the following at about 1 pm on Sunday: "Storms are developing over our western mountains, which could lead to locally heavy rainfall over portions of Mineral, Saguache, and Rio Grande Counties. Storms will be very slow moving and flash flooding will be possible."

07/08/2022

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS FOR SUNDAY - By the US National Weather Service Pueblo Colorado, "Monsoon moisture will increase across the area on Sunday, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms to the state. This will bring an increase threat for flash flooding, especially over the eastern mountains, burn scars and the I 25 Corridor."

05/08/2022

Monkey Pox Confirmed in Prowers County: Yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 8/4/2022). Complete Press Release: http://seconews.org/page/3462

31/07/2022

23/07/2022

MISSING 85-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM MOFFAT, COLORADO FOUND DECEASED - The Saguache County Sheriff's Office shared Saturday morning that a woman they put out missing reports on has been found deceased. She went missing from her home at KV Estates in the 58000 block of County Road CC in Moffat, Colorado on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

The sheriff's office asked the public for help saying that the missing at-risk woman didn't drive and didn't tell anyone close to her that she was leaving her home or going somewhere.

Saguache County Search and Rescue and K9 teams from the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office assisted with an initial search and didn't find her initially. They called in additional team members and somehow her body turned up. They have not released further details.

This was posted at a local FB page on behalf of the family:

"Mrs. Mary Drake. She's been found, however, it was not the outcome we had hoped for. She has passed away. Thank you to everyone that dedicated their time and abilities to help look for her, the family is extremely greatful to each and everyone of the searchers. The family has also asked that they please be allowed to grieve in privacy during this sad time, they will reach out, if and when they need something. Information on services or memorials will be posted later when details are worked out."

The Saguache County Sheriffs office can be reached at 719-655-2544.

Photo from a post by Missing Persons of the San Luis Valley on Facebook, which states that she was found deceased.

Prayers and condolences to her family.

23/07/2022

FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED - BODIES OF A MAN AND A WOMAN FOUND IN PHANTOM CANYON IN FREMONT COUNTY NEAR WHERE TWO OTHER BODIES WERE FOUND EARLIER THIS YEAR - Local law enforcement in Fremont County, the Bureau of Land Management and the FBI are investigating what may have happened to two deceased adults found on in a ravine north of Canon City with injuries consistent with foul play.

On February 8, Fremont County Sheriff's Office deputies investigated calls and found two deceased bodies in a ravine near mile marker 10.5 of Fremont County Road 67, an area known as Phantom Canyon Road.

The victims, who are said to be from out of state, will not be identified until next of kin is notified.

Earlier this year, in February, the bodies of two men were found in a ravine in the same area, also consistent with foul play.

The Fremont County Coroner's Office identified the two as 25-year-old Ryan Joe Roth and 36-year-old Rodolfo Santillan-Reyes.

The two men's bodies were also found in the area of mile marker 10.5 on County Road 67/Phantom Canyon Road.

Two people appear to be persons of interest in the case and have been interviewed by detectives, but no charges have been filed.

Yet another man who disappeared in April was found dead in the same canyon, but his death was ruled an accident by the coroner.

Attached is a map of the area, where hikers explore Phantom Canyon, which some believe was named after an 1890s ghost sighting of a man wearing a prison uniform walking along the tracks.

The passengers who spotted the man claim he was executed at the Colorado State Penitentiary a few days prior, says the story.

Today the area and about 25 mile road attracts hikers, mountain bikers and off road vehicles without trailers.

The unique road is a detour off the historic Gold Belt Tour, a popular byway in south-central Colorado that features green-spotted canyon walls and twisty turns lying on top of what was once a powerhouse railroad (the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad) connecting the lucrative 1800s mining districts of Cripple Creek, Cañon City and Florence.

Phantom Canyon Road, formed by Eight Mile Creek, slowly gains in elevation from 5,500 to 9,500 feet, has two tunnels that were chiseled out of dense mountainous terrain by miners making room for a booming gold industry in the day.

It is located between the cities of Florence and Victor. The road can be accessed from Highway 115 to the south and 67 to the north.

If you have any leads on the cases herein, contact authorities in Fremont County.

21/07/2022

UPDATE 1853 HOURS:

Kansas Department of Corrections, in a glorious display of wisdom, decided this afternoon, after Mr. Kane's arrest, to CANCEL their arrest and detain order. Fortunately, Mr. Kane's actions today earned him some local charges that he has to answer for right here in Baca County. This right here folks is an example of the hurdles law enforcement is faced with each and every day.

An update to a Facebook social media release posted this morning by Kiowa County Sheriff's Office in Colorado.

It appears that sometime this morning, the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a disturbance in Kiowa County on near Kiowa County Road 49. It appears that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident but did not have enough information to complete an arrest at that time and terminated the contact. Kiowa County Sheriff later released in a statement that after further investigation they believed that the male suspect, identified as Michael Kane, a resident of the State of Kansas, was a danger to himself and the community. Kiowa County urged the community to stay alert and notify authorities if the individual was located. Kansas Department of Corrections in conjunction with the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Kane later after their contact had been terminated. Mr. Kane was located by the Baca County Sheriff’s Office in Baca County near Hwy 287 just north of Baca County Road Z after the issuance of the Kansas arrest warrant. Mr. Kane resisted arrest but was subdued by Baca County deputies and Baca County Sheriff Aaron Shiplett and was ultimately taken into custody. No serious injuries were sustained during the use of force. Mr. Kane will be held at the Baca County Jail pending extradition to the State of Kansas.

Please note, although the Baca County Sheriff’s Office has made several arrests over the last few days, we want to make it known that we STILL have bunks available at the Baca County Jail.

21/07/2022

Mark your calendars. The Missing in Colorado event that takes place in August, will be held in person this year. This is a great event for families of the missing to receive resources and support.