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]

MOTORCYCLE RIDER DIES IN FORT COLLINS

A motorcycle rider was killed in a collision with an auto Sunday in Fort Collins.

The afternoon accident occurred at the intersection of Lorien Lane and South College Avenue.

"The collision involved a 1996 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a 2005 Nissan Sentra," police said. "The motorcycle rider, an adult male, was ejected from the motorcycle."

The rider was pronounced dead at hospital. There were no other casualties.

"The investigation to this point has revealed that the Harley-Davidson was travelling northbound on College Avenue, and the Nissan was exiting the apartment complex on Lorien Lane and began to go northbound," police said.

TWO FLEE ON FOOT AFTER DENVER CRASH

Two people fled on foot from the scene of a three-vehicle crash in northeast Denver on Sunday.

Another person was seriously injured in the wreck in the vicinity of North Crown Boulevard and East Andrews Avenue, according to police. No other information was released.

SHOOTING NEAR 14TH AVE. & SHERIDAN BLVD. IN DENVER

A person was shot Sunday in the vicinity of West 14th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard in Denver, police said. They were transported to hospital. Police released no other information. 

DENVER STABBING WASN'T STABBING AFTER ALL, COPS SAY

UPDATE

Denver police reported a person was stabbed Sunday on South Federal Boulevard - but later determined the victim was a burglary suspect cut breaking a window. Police identified the suspect as Leonel Carrillo Funez, 49, who was detained for investigation of Felony Menacing and First-Degree Burglary. No one else was hurt in the bizarre incident. Funez was transported to hospital from the crime scene in the 3000-block of South Federal. "It was determined the suspect was the person injured after he broke a window after threatening the victim," police said Monday.

TRUE CRIME: DENVER'S TEENAGE 'FIRE MANIAC'

 Warren Cramer was just plain bad. As a teenager, he confessed to a wild arson spree in Denver. As an adult, he confessed to a murder in San Francisco - and was executed in California's gas chamber.

On Aug. 26, 1935, Cramer, 17, son of a dentist and attorney from Oakland, California, confessed to setting 20 fires across Denver in five days, including blazes at a Catholic cathedral, two Catholic churches, City Hall and police headquarters.

A headline in the Herald Journal of Spartanburg, South Carolina, read: "DENVER FEARFUL OF FIRE MANIAC."

"I got a thrill out of it," Detective Sergeant Walter Fox quoted the youth as saying, according to an Associated Press story. "It was fun, especially last night when I started a fire in police headquarters."

Police caught him at a night club phone booth. At first, police had suspected a "religious fanatic" or "Nazi sympathizer" with setting the church fires, according to a United Press story - not a neatly appointed schoolboy.

Cramer said he used a stolen bicycle to move from fire to fire.

The boy's father, Dr. Harry Cramer, said his son served 10 months at the Preston industrial school for petty theft and had repeatedly run away from home since he was 12.

Dr. Cramer also said the boy's mother, who died shortly after his birth, "was insane" and "this undoubtedly explains his actions," according to the Associated Press.

Cramer went onto a "career of thievery, arson and jail breaking" and was executed in California's gas chamber at San Quentin on May 14, 1943, for the slaying of Ernest Saxton, a San Francisco drug store clerk in 1942, according to the United Press.

He was on parole when he killed Saxton, prison records showed.

At the end, San Quentin Warden Clinton Duffy described Cramer as a “brilliant” man who had a “rotten streak in his system which he couldn’t control.”

[Originally published by Daily Sketch on March 15, 2025]

COPS RESCUE KIDNAPPED DOG 'EZRA' AFTER 5 DAYS OF DESPAIR

 

Police rescued Ezra, the dog kidnapped from outside the Tattered Cover bookstore on East Colfax Avenue in Denver, and arrested a suspect, his owner reports.

Rachel Ansley said on social media: "Thank you to everyone who has helped keep an eye out for Ezra these past 5 days. I couldn't have asked for a better, more involved community to help get my boy back home. "Every single one of you brought Ezra closer to me day by day."
Ansley and Ezra were reunited at a Denver police station. He was kidnapped Saturday. Ansley said the kidnapping suspect is a woman.

[Photo: Rachel Ansley]

PAROLEE BUSTED; DRUGS, GUNS, MONEY SEIZED IN PUEBLO WEST

After a traffic stop, deputies arrested a parolee and seized a variety of drugs, guns, drug paraphernalia and cash from his auto and home on Calle de Cabellos in Pueblo West. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office identified the parolee as Chad Hurley, 53.

[Photo: Pueblo County Sheriff]

FREIGHT TRAIN HITS CAR, 1 INJURED

In Fort Lupton, a freight train collided with a car early Thursday at County Road 10 and South Rollie Avenue and "one individual was transported to a local hospital," fire officials said. [Photo: Fort Lupton Fire]

PERSON SHOT DEAD ON EAST 49TH AVE. IN DENVER

A person was shot and killed in northeast Denver overnight.

The crime occurred in the in the 19000-block of East 49th Avenue late Wednesday and homicide detectives were attempting identify a suspect, according to police. No other details were released. If you have information, call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867.

FLYING SQUIRREL JUMPS COP IN GLENDALE

In Glendale, a fearless, flying squirrel surprised a police officer crossing a footbridge on Wednesday after "making direct eye contact" - and latched onto the cop's side, police said. No one was hurt and the squirrel fled. [Photos: Glendale Police]

 

PASS THE BOOT: RURAL FIRE DEPT. SEEKS HELP AFTER MONSTER BLAZE

The Campo Volunteer Fire Department, which was front-and-center at the monster wildfire that flashed into Colorado from Oklahoma over the weekend, is seeking help to revive its "old, battered, and tired" fleet of fire trucks. The blaze scorched about 30,000 acres. "We have a skid with a 1000-gallon tank and pump on it - but we are in need of a chassis to mount it on," Assistant Fire Chief Timothy Chick said. "We have a very limited budget. ... 4x4 or 6x6 preferred. Any and all leads are greatly appreciated."

Chick adds: "This past week has taken a major toll on us financially." Campo - population about 100 - is located in Baca County, in far southeastern Colorado, and monetary donations can be mailed to: Campo Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 116 Campo, CO 81029 [Images: Campo Fire]

ARVADA COPS WRANGLE RUNAWAY MABEL THE COW

In Arvada, police wrangled a runaway cow named Mabel near 72nd Avenue and Indiana Street over the weekend. "Mabel can spot rookie cowboys miles away and came along willingly," police said. She was reunited with her owner. [Photo: Arvada Police]

WRONG-WAY DRIVER CAUSES CRASH ON I-25 IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

UPDATE

A wrong-way driver caused a crash early Wednesday on southbound I-25 near Plum Creek Road in Douglas County, the state patrol said.

"When troopers arrived at the scene, they found a Chevrolet pickup and a silver Toyota sedan that had collided head on," the patrol said. "The preliminary investigation shows the Chevrolet was going northbound in the southbound lanes when it hit the Toyota.

"The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries," the patrol said. "The driver of the Toyota was checked on scene by medical personnel but refused to be transported."

The Silverado was driven by a 56-year-old man from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Camry was driven by a 36-year-old man from Aurora.

40 BATTLE HOUSE FIRE ON EAST CRESTLINE CIRCLE IN ARAPAHOE COUNTY

Forty firefighters battled a house fire that started in the garage in unincorporated Arapahoe County on Tuesday night, South Metro Fire said.

Four occupants escaped the raging blaze in the 11000-block of East Crestline Circle. One person was treated by paramedics at the scene and released.
"It was determined that one vehicle was a hybrid and crews pulled that vehicle from the garage as a precaution," officials said. Three autos were parked in the garage.

[Photo: South Metro Fire]

IT'S BIGGER THAN A PICNIC BASKET, SAYS YOGI BEAR

 

 

A surveillance camera captured these images of a bear tipping over a dumpster in Grand Lake. The foraging occurred early on May 10 at Grand Lake Wine & Spirits and Cabin Quilts & Stitches, the Grand County Sheriff's Office said.

[Photo: Grand County Sheriff]

ONE PERSON DEAD AS FIVE AUTOS CRASH IN COMMERCE CITY; DUI SUSPECT ARRESTED

UPDATE

A five-vehicle crash claimed a life early Wednesday in Commerce City.

Several people were transported to hospital, according to Commerce City police.

The alleged at-fault driver, age 20, faces charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence, police said.

The accident occurred in the 11900-block of Highway 85 and shut down all lanes of traffic.

SUSPICIOUS DEATH NEAR LUDLOW MASSACRE MEMORIAL

A body was discovered in an abandoned building near the Ludlow Massacre Memorial and the "circumstances surrounding the death appear to be suspicious," the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday.

A visitor discovered the body at the site, which is 15 miles north of Trinidad, on May 17, and authorities identified deceased as James Hedges, 46, of Trinidad. The building is located near Country Road 44 and County Road 61.5. 

The memorial honors 20 or so people - men, woman, and children - killed at the site in April 1914 during the Colorado Coalfield War between striking miners, the Colorado National Guard and company security forces in April 1914.

If you have information, contact the CBI or the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office (719) 846-2211, extension 7.

HUNGRY BEARS SEEK FINE DINING IN ARVADA AND WHEAT RIDGE

Bear sightings have been on the rise in Arvada and Wheat Ridge - mostly west of Ward Road - as the drought hurts burly beasts' natural food supply, Arvada police said.
"Take your bird feeders down if there are sightings near you, don't leave your pets outside unsupervised, and make sure your trash cans are secured," police said. Call police to report sightings. [Photo: Arvada Police]

DOUBLE SEMI SKIDS, FLIPS IN GRAND COUNTY

A double semi-truck crashed on Highway 9 Tuesday south of Kremmling, the Grand County Sheriff's Office said. No other information was released. [Photo: Grand County Sheriff]

COPS BUST BIG DOPE RING ON WESTERN SLOPE, ARREST 21 SUSPECTS

A wiretap investigation led to the arrests of 21 suspects believed to be sources of illegal narcotics peddled across Mesa County, officials said Tuesday. The investigation - by local, state and federal agencies - spanned from late 2025 to early 2026. "In total, law enforcement seized more than 10,400 fentanyl pills, approximately 62.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 13.11 pounds of cocaine, and additional illegal substances with an estimated street value of approximately $450,000," the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said. "In addition, other seizures related to this case include approximately $117,000 in U.S. currency and eight vehicles," CBI said. [Photo: CBI]

KIDNAPPED? DOG GOES MISSING FROM TATTERED COVER IN DENVER

 

A friendly, bandana-wearing Labrador named Ezra vanished from the pedestrian alley outside the popular Tattered Cover bookstore at 2526 East Colfax Avenue in Denver.

He was "hooked up on a leash" while his owner went inside to buy a book, his owner said - and she's "devastated."

Ezra went missing at about noon Saturday. He's age 6 and weighs 65 to 70 pounds - "but looks like a puppy."

AUTO SLAMS INTO HOUSE IN DENVER; AT LEAST 3 HURT

UPDATE

An auto crashed into a house overnight in Denver, police said Tuesday.

The accident occurred in the vicinity of West 10th Avenue and North Perry Street and "at least" were transported to hospital, a police spokesperson said.

No other information was released.

DUCK QUACKS 'CALL 911' FOR TRAPPED DUCKLINGS IN WHEAT RIDGE

Firefighters and police rescued seven ducklings trapped in a storm drain near Wheat Ridge High School after their frantic mother quacked for help. A caller reported hearing "a very determined mother duck quacking" after her brood fell through the grate, fire officials said. "The crew with West Metro Engine 17 responded, removed the grate, and climbed down into the storm drain, carefully lifting the ducklings out one by one," officials said.

Reunited, they waddled off on May 8.

[Photos: West Metro Fire]

QUAKE RATTLES WALSENBURG; SECOND TO HIT SOUTHERN COLORADO THIS MONTH

A mild earthquake rattled the Walsenburg area on Monday - the second trembler to strike southern Colorado this month.

No injuries or major damage were reported, according to the Colorado Department of Homeland and Emergency Management. 

The quake, which occurred at 6:29 a.m., measured 3.0 and was centered about 2 miles south-southwest of the city, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

There are about 90 "potentially active faults" across the state, according to the Colorado Geological Survey.

Earlier this month, a mild earthquake rattled Trinidad. The 4.0 trembler struck south of the Colorado-New Mexico border on May 7, officials said.

The largest recorded quake in state history struck north-central Colorado on Nov. 7, 1882, and shook Denver, 60 miles from the epicenter.

[Image: USGS]

PUPPIES FOUND BENEATH FLOORBOARDS NEAR EVANS

Three puppies and two adult dogs were discovered living in the ruins of a vacant, burned-out home near Evans.

An animal control officer "heard puppy squeaks coming from under the floorboards," according to the Weld County Sheriff's Office.
The rescue occurred in late April after a neighbor reported the two adults wandering the area. The property owner said the dogs weren't his and gave the animal control officer permission to enter the dwelling.

The canines were transported to an animal shelter - "another doggone great rescue in the books," the sheriff's office said.

PRAIRIE FIRE CRASHES ACROSS OKLAHOMA BORDER INTO BACA COUNTY

A monster prairie fire crashed into southeastern Colorado from the Oklahoma panhandle Sunday, engulfing more than 28,000 acres, Springfield Fire said.

The small town of Campo was evacuated. Campo is located in Baca County. Surrounding communities sent mutual aid while aerial tankers took to the sky.

"The fire line is currently holding around Campo," Baca County Emergency Management said. The blaze started in Cimarron County, Oklahoma.

No injuries were reported.

[Photo: Springfield Fire Department]

PARENTS DOTE ON NEW ARRIVAL AT DENVER ZOO

At the Denver Zoo, Rain, an 18-year-old Cape buffalo, and her mate, Boots, welcomed their new child, a healthy male calf. Rain gave birth May 11. [Photo: Denver Zoo]

TRAIN KILLS PEDESTRIAN IN DENVER

A pedestrian died after being struck by a light train in the vicinity of North Quebec Street and Smith Road, police said early Monday. No other information was released.

GUNMAN DEAD ON WEASEL WAY IN FRANKTOWN

A gunman died Sunday at a home on Weasel Way in Franktown after a confrontation with a deputy, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. "A child inside the home called 911 to report an adult male was assaulting their grandmother, with another child also inside the residence," the sheriff's office said.

"When deputies arrived, one child was exiting the front door," the sheriff's office said. "While the door was open, a deputy observed the adult suspect inside holding a handgun pointed at the deputy, and one deputy fired shots. "The children and grandmother were safely removed from the home," the sheriff's office said. "The suspect was later found deceased inside the residence." A law enforcement vehicle responding to the call hydroplaned in heavy rain and crashed. [Photo: Douglas County Sheriff]