DENVER ZOO'S BABY BONGO GETS NAME

A baby bongo born this year at the Denver Zoo has been dubbed "Frannie," the zoo announced Monday. Her formal name is Frances. Her parents are Fern and Howard. Bongos, an antelope breed, are native to African forests.

[Photo: Denver Zoo]

COPS CAPTURE VIOLENT FUGITIVE IN WHEAT RIDGE

A task force of police, state agents and federal marshals tracked down a violent fugitive in Wheat Ridge - and seized guns and ammunition.

"The suspect tried to run from task force members but was unsuccessful and apprehended before he could get on a sport bike" near West 44th Avenue and Tabor Street last week, Wheat Ridge police said. "A search warrant uncovered multiple firearms, one of which was stolen," police added.

The fugitive was wanted by the state corrections department for a parole violation and by the Adams County Sheriff's Office for felony larceny. His name wasn't released. 

[Photos: Wheat Ridge Police]

FIRE ON FEDERAL BOULEVARD IN DENVER

In Denver, firefighters battled a blaze in an apartment building in the 2900-block of South Federal Boulevard. No one was hurt. Monday's fire was contained to one apartment.

[Photo: Denver Fire]

LANDFILL BLAZE ILLUMINATES NIGHT SKY IN WELD COUNTY

In Weld County, Mountain View Fire Rescue crews battled a blaze at the Front Range Landfill along County Road 5 overnight. [Photo: Mountain View Fire]

NOT QUITE A STAMPEDE AS BULLS GRAZE NEAR CASTLE ROCK HOMES

Three AWOL bulls wandered into open space bordering the Cobblestone neighborhood in Castle Rock. Fortunately, their excursion ended peacefully. "Some days you need to take the bull by the horns," police said of Friday's incident. On social media, a resident said an animal welfare officer "did a great job keeping them from breaking into our veggie gardens." Police personnel Friday also investigated a family of racoons residing the Plum Creek area and recovered a lost cat in Memmen South. [Photo: Castle Rock Police]

CRIME RULED OUT IN DEADLY BLAST IN SUMMIT COUNTY

Investigators found no evidence of a "criminal act" in an explosion that ripped apart an auto and killed its sole occupant at Straight Creek Trailhead, the Summit County Sheriff's Office revealed Monday. "When responders arrived, they found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames," the sheriff's office said. "Once the fire was extinguished, a single male occupant was found deceased." The horrific blast occurred at about 7 a.m. on March 6 at the trailhead, which is located at the end of County Road 51.

“This was a complicated and difficult scene to process, but we now know the death was not the result of a criminal act," Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said. No other information was released. The sheriff's office led the investigation with assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. [Photo: Summit County Sheriff]

HIT & RUN DRIVER KILLS 1, SERIOUSLY INJURES 2 IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

UPDATE

A hit-and-run driver in a pickup truck killed one person and seriously injured two others on a sidewalk Monday, the Douglas County sheriff's office said.

A suspect was located in a nearby park shortly after the late morning crash and taken into custody. The accident occurred at Willowbridge Way and East Wildcat Reserve Parkway in Highlands Ranch.
The sheriff's office said: "Investigators are still looking for anyone who may have witnessed the suspect’s driving behavior before the crash or observed events immediately after the crash in the area shown on the map.

"Investigators are also seeking dash camera footage, doorbell camera video, and surveillance camera footage from homes or businesses in the area. They are only looking for video showing the truck pictured here." "Even if you think what you captured may not be important, it could provide valuable information to investigators. If you have information or video footage, contact Detective Pereira bpereira@dcsheriff.net or (303) 660-7537. [Photo: Douglas County Sheriff]

COPS SAY SUSPECT ANGRY ABOUT TRAFFIC SHOT AT CAR

A shooting suspect angry about traffic is accused of digging a trench across the roadway in front of his home and firing upon an auto.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said no one was injured and the suspect was arrested after a standoff. Robert Holly, 34, was found inside a camper on his property on Rattlesnake Point near Outback View in the Midway area. "When the victims attempted to pass through the area, a verbal argument ensued, and the suspect allegedly fired rounds into the rear of their vehicle," officials said. He claimed the roadway was private property. The incident occurred May 26. Holly was released on $10,000 bail on May 29. [Photo: El Paso County Sheriff]

NO NEED TO CHANGE FOR SUSPECT WEARING JAIL JUMPSUIT

Denver police stopped a man casually wearing an orange jumpsuit from the Adams County Jail in the vicinity of North Lincoln Street and East 7th Avenue.

"Officers safely contacted the suspect and, after positively identifying him, found that he had an outstanding warrant," police said. They also found three grams of fentanyl as well as "an identification card, a Social Security card, bank documents, and debit cards that did not belong to him," police said.
Police didn't dis-clothes how he obtained the jumpsuit. The arrest occurred May 25.

[Photo: Wikimedia Commons]

CAN WE MAKE A STOP AT THE DONUT SHOP?

Lost dog gets a ride to the Custer County Sheriff's Office on Sunday.

[Photo: Custer County Sheriff]

K-9 TEAM HELPS 'JUNIOR DEPUTY' WHO LOST HER STUFFED ANIMAL

In El Paso County, a deputy and her K-9 partner delivered a set of stuffed animals to little Claire, whose favorite stuffed animal - a police dog - went missing. "Her mother told us she was heartbroken," the sheriff's office said. Claire is a junior deputy. 

[Photos: El Paso County Sheriff]

STOLEN MOTORCYCLE HITS AUTO, KILLING BIKER

A stolen motorcycle struck an auto in Aurora, killing the biker and injuring his female passenger. The driver of the auto fled the scene of Saturday night's wreck - near East Iliff Avenue and South Idalia Street - and later abandoned the vehicle.

COMMUTER TRAIN KILLS PEDESTRIAN IN DENVER

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a commuter train Saturday near the 40th & Colorado station in Denver. The train was operating on the RTD "A" Line between Union Station and Denver International Airport. Police said the accident occurred in the 4200-block of North Jackson Street. No other information was released.

TWO PEOPLE SHOT AT 1st & ACOMA IN DENVER

Two people were injured a shooting early Saturday at West 1st Avenue and North Acoma Street in Denver, police said. Detectives were developing information on possible suspects. No other information was released.

BLAZE RAGES ON 153rd PLACE IN ADAMS COUNTY

Flames blazed through the roof of a two-story garage on 153rd Place in Adams County. No injuries were reported in the May 28 fire, North Metro Fire said.

[Photo: North Metro Fire]

FIREFIGHTERS SAVE 'EDGAR' THE PIG'S BACON

In Colorado Springs, firefighters freed a pig named Edgar who hooked a tusk in a wire fence, according to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Edgar is fine.

[Photo: Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region]

LITTLE CHURCH ON COLORADO PRAIRIE

The Abbott Church - built by settlers in 1913 - is located near the farming community of Lindon in Washington County, about 35 miles southwest of Akron, the county seat.

[Photo: Sam Del Giudice]

CIGARETTES TO BLAME FOR HOUSE FIRE IN GREELEY

Discarded cigarettes caused a fire that spread through a home and into its attic on 4th Avenue in Greeley, fire officials said. Medics treated one person for smoke inhalation at the scene of Wednesday's blaze. [Photos: Greeley Fire]

3 INJURED IN TOWNHOUSE BLAZE IN WESTMINSTER

Three people were sent to hospital Thursday from a townhouse fire near 100th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Westminster. They were able to evacuate the burning dwelling on their own, according to the city fire department. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. No other information was released. [Photo: Westminster Fire]  

ANTIPODE LURKING IN COLORADO'S CHEYENNE COUNTY!

Rural Cheyenne County in eastern Colorado is one of the few locales in the continental U.S. to feature a "non-oceanic antipode."

An antipode is a point on the diametrically opposite side of a planet's surface. (The earth is round, you know.)

For most parts of the U.S., it's ocean.

In the case of Cheyenne County, its antipode is a remote, rocky volcanic island in the Indian Ocean called Ile Saint-Paul, which is uninhabited. There is, however, a "castaway hut" for survivors of shipwrecks, which is pictured above.

Cheyenne Wells is county seat of Cheyenne County. There are no castaway huts for shipwrecks in Cheyenne County.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

SUSPECT KEEPS HIS COOL NEGOTIATING WITH DENVER COPS

A motorist fleeing police on foot after crashing his auto took refuge in a jumbo air conditioning unit in the vicinity of 45th Drive South and North Forest Street in Denver. The suspect "lost control of the vehicle and struck and continued through two chain link fences before colliding with a building," police said. "Officers found the suspect hiding in a commercial air conditioning unit, which it appeared he pried the panels off of in order to get inside," police said. After negotiating, the suspect was arrested for investigation of criminal mischief, police said of Sunday's peculiar incident.

RUNS FROM COURTHOUSE TO AVOID ARREST

Matthew Muniz Jr., 29, was arrested Wednesday after bolting from the Otero County Courthouse upon learning he was about to be arrested on a warrant for stalking and domestic violence, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.

He was apprehended after locking himself in his apartment - which is located just across the street from the courthouse in La Junta - for more than five hours.

Muniz was making a court appearance regarding another case related to felony eluding, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited large capacity magazine, according to CBI.

He had been free on bond. The fresh warrant was issued in Pueblo County. He faces even more charges after the police standoff at his apartment.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

MARMOT HITCHES 266-MILE RIDE TO BROOMFIELD

A "Freddy the Freeloader" marmot hitched a 266-mile ride from Lake City to Broomfield inside the frame of a truck. "After a couple of hours of careful work, Animal Services Officers were finally able to safely get him out using a catch pole," Broomfield police said after this week's animal adventure. "The little traveler was then transported to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where he'll be assessed before being returned home," police said. Lake City, population about 400, is located in Hinsdale County in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. [Photo: Broomfield Police]

ORPHANED RED FOX KIT ON MEND AFTER LIFE-AND-DEATH STRUGGLE

An orphaned Red Fox kit is on the mend at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance after a brush with eternity. "Emaciated and suffering from severe mange, he had become so weak that he could no longer keep up with his family," the wildlife alliance said. "Eventually, he was forced into the open - exposed, vulnerable, and alone." Jefferson County Animal Control was able to nab the frightened animal. "He is now safe and receiving intensive care in our hospital: treatment for mange, thermal support, fluids for dehydration, and the nutritional rehabilitation he desperately needs to rebuild his strength," the alliance said. [Photo: Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance]

BIG RIGS COLLIDE ON I-25 NEAR FREDERICK

A semi-truck slammed into the rear of another big rig that stopped in a traffic lane on southbound I-25 near Frederick early Wednesday, the state patrol said.

The driver that slammed into the stopped vehicle suffered minor injuries, the patrol said. The other trucker wasn't hurt.

"Initial reports show one semi was stopped in the right lane for an unknown reason," the patrol said. "A second semi traveling southbound struck the stopped semi in a rear-end collision."

[Photos: Colorado State Patrol]

BICYCLE RIDER DIES CROSSING HIGHWAY 85 AGAINST LIGHT

A bicycle rider - apparently ignoring a traffic signal - was struck and killed by an auto Tuesday night in Brighton.

"The preliminary investigation indicates the bicyclist was crossing Highway 85 at the intersection of E 120th Ave against the red light and was struck by the northbound vehicle," police said.

"The driver remained on scene, was uninjured, and showed no signs of impairment," police said.

The victim was pronounced dead at Platte Valley Medical Center, police said. The accident occurred at about 11:30 p.m.

MORE THAN 50 FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BIG BLAZE IN CHEYENNE; ATF JOINS PROBE

UPDATE

More than 50 firefighters battled a wind-driven blaze that destroyed an apartment building under construction in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 
All workers were accounted for after flames erupted at the new three-story structure at the Ridgeway Apartments at 2505 East Carlson Street, city officials said. The cause of Tuesday's fire was under investigation, with the assistance of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. No injuries were reported. [Photos: City of Cheyenne, AFF]

COW MOOSE ATTACKS, INJURES DOG WALKER

A moose accompanied by her yearling attacked and seriously injured a dogwalker near Winter Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. 

"The cow moose charged at the victim, kicking them several times before turning and charging toward the two dogs," officials said. "The victim let go of the leashes, allowing the dogs to run away."

Rangers were unable to locate the moose or yearling after Sunday's attack on Little Vasquez Road. The victim suffered serious chest and arm injuries.

COPS SEEK VICTIM ATTACKED BY GUN-TOTING TEENS IN AURORA

 

Aurora police arrested two gun-toting teens after a series of violent robberies at and near the RTD Florida station in Aurora on the night of May 20. Investigators are attempting to locate the victim, in grey, in this photo, police said Wednesday. A total of four people were robbed and/or attacked. The youths are 17. One had been arrested in April on robbery charges, police said. The other was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of assault and harassment. 

One of the guns was believed have been stolen from Tennessee, police said. If you have information, call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867. Police added: "Parents, please talk to your kids. Understand who they’re with and what they’re doing. It could mean a different outcome for everyone."

[Photo: RTD via Aurora Police]

MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER DEAD MAN FOUND AT CONVENIENCE STORE

 

In Colorado Springs, police arrested murder suspect Timothy Arvidson, 64. The victim, Robert Dougher, 43, was "located deceased from a gunshot wound" at a convenience store on 21st Street on Sunday night. [Photo: Colorado Springs Police]

MISSISSIPPI AVE. STABBING IN DENVER

A person was stabbed Tuesday in the vicinity of Mississippi Avenue and South Havana Street in Denver, police said.

The person was transported to hospital. Police closed westbound Mississippi for the investigation.

No other injuries were reported, there was no word on an arrest, and no other details were released by police.

TANKER WRECK SHUT DOWN I-70 NEAR GOLDEN; NO INJURIES

UPDATE

A tanker wreck early Wednesday shut down westbound I-70 west of Golden, the state patrol said.

The initial investigation indicated "the semi was westbound on Interstate 70, where it went off the right side of the road, rolling onto its passenger side," the patrol said.

"The driver, a 27-year-old male from Denver, suffered no injuries," the patrol said.

The patrol's hazmat unit was called for leak from the tanker and I-70 traffic was diverted onto Highway 40. Golden and Arvada Fire also responded. The incident occurred at about 2 a.m.

[Photo: Golden Fire Local 5080]

FIRE! GET OUT! HERO COPS RUSH DOOR-TO-DOOR AT AURORA INFERNO

 

Hero cops stormed into an inferno at an Aurora apartment building, knocking on doors - kicking them open if necessary - to wake up and evacuate 50 sleeping residents.

"For over half an hour, we went door-to-door ensuring every resident was accounted for - knocking down those doors if we had to," police said. "Flames spread quickly and we continued to evacuate residents."

Firefighters, meantime, saved trapped residents by ladder as Monday's three-alarm blaze devoured the building at 797 Dillon Way. Just two people were transported to hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation. "Everyone’s efforts – from the officers to the firefighters – ensured there was no loss of life or serious injuries," police said. [Photos: Aurora police, Aurora Fire]

MURDER VICTIM IDENTIFIED AFTER ALMOST 40 YEARS

DNA testing and genetic genealogy helped detectives identify the remains of a homicide victim found on a ranch in western El Paso County in November 1986, the sheriff's office said Tuesday.

Peter Joseph Paskovich Jr., 31, had been shot in the head a year earlier - sometime between July and December 1985, an autopsy determined at the time. Detectives determined Paskovich had ties to Colorado Springs, where his father was stationed in the Air Force. He attended Widefield High School before his family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, and was a member of Cub Scout Pack 173. El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal said: “For nearly four decades, this man had no name, but he was never forgotten. My detectives remained committed to finding answers, and through advances in investigative genetic genealogy and strong partnerships, we are finally able to restore his identity." If you have information, contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office tipline (719) 520-7777. [Photo: El Paso County Sheriff]

HOOTS HELP: FIREFIGHTERS FREE OWL AT GOLF COURSE

In Summit County, Firefighter Anthony Lanata and Engineer Aaron Ferdig of Engine Company 1 at Copper Mountain freed a Great Horned Owl entangled in netting at a golf course and returned the raptor to the wild after a brief checkup, officials said.

[Photos: Summit Fire & EMS]

BLAZE HITS STORAGE BUILDING IN DENVER

Fire broke out Monday at a storage business at 7th Avenue and Osage Street in Denver. "Stubborn to put out because the sprinkler was unable to reach the seat of the fire," the fire department said on social media. The blaze was contained to a single unit. No one was injured. [Photo: Denver Fire]

2 HURT IN HIT & RUN CRASH ON SOUTH HAVANA STREET IN DENVER

Two people were injured Monday in a hit-and-run crash involving three autos at South Havana Street and East Yale Avenue in Denver, police said. The victims were transported to hospital. Police released no other information.

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE RESIDENTS AS FLAMES RACE THROUGH APARTMENTS IN AURORA

UPDATE

Firefighters on ladders rescued residents from a raging 3-alarm fire overnight at an Aurora Apartment complex.

The blaze broke out at 797 North Dillon Way at about 1:24 a.m. and two people were transported to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

The inferno displaced about 50 residents.

Aurora Fire said: "First arriving Engine 8 observed flames showing from the second and third floor on the east side of the building and directed a hose line to darken down the visible fire. Crews made entry into the building with hose lines and found heavy smoke, high heat and fire conditions inside.

"At 1:47 a.m. a large volume of fire was consuming the attic space and partial structural collapse of the roof was imminent" and "command ordered all firefighters to withdraw from the building." The cause of the fire was under investigation.

[Photos: Aurora Fire]

FIRE CRUSHED AT RECYCLING YARD IN DENVER

Firefighters stopped a fire in a mountain of debris at a recycling yard at 1775 West Wesley Avenue in Denver, the fire department said. No injuries were reported in Monday's blaze. [Photo: Denver Fire]

THREE ARMED-ROBBERY SUSPECTS HURT AFTER CHASE, COMMERCE CITY COPS SAY

An auto carrying three suspects in an armed robbery in Commerce City crashed during a police pursuit overnight.

The three were seriously injured. Another auto involved the robbery, outside a residence in the 6100-block of Oneida Street, got away, Commerce City police said. The victims were robbed at gun and knifepoint. "While officers were interviewing the victims about what had just occurred, the suspect vehicles returned to the scene of the crime" - and fled, police said. "The pursuit continued on I-70, where one of the suspect vehicles exited at Pecos, then crashed into a retaining wall." "Officers immediately began life-saving measures on the three individuals inside the vehicle who were transported to the hospital, all with serious injuries," police said. In a separate incident on the Western Slope, a stolen vehicle crashed during a police chase on eastbound I-70, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office said. The teenage suspect was injured after the auto crossed into Garfield County from Mesa County. [Photo: Commerce City Police]

HOUSE FIRE IGNITES BRUSH FIRE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

A house fire spread to brush early Sunday on Flowerburst Drive in unincorporated Douglas County, South Metro Fire said.

The blaze started on a deck and "extended into all three levels of the home," officials said. "A brush engine responded to extinguish a small fire in the grass behind the home."

Medics treated one person at the scene. [Photos: South Metro Fire]