WHITE HOUSE SETS FOOD STAMP CUT-OFF; COLORADO SEES CRISIS

UPDATE

Slicing a hole in America' safety net, the White House announced Sunday plans to suspend the food stamp program effective Nov. 1 due to the federal funding standoff with Congress. 

Colorado officials from the state Capitol to city halls and county boards - as well as churches and charities - have been bracing for a feeding crisis.

At the Salvation Army, cupboards are running bare. “We started seeing it about two weeks ago. This week has been at its height and if trends continue, it seems it’ll just get worse,” Salvation Army Lieutenant Carl Esquivel told Fox 31.

Governor Jared Polis said: “In Colorado, we love everyone and take hunger seriously. I am so disappointed to see the federal government seems to have no urgency or desire to stop families from going hungry.” 

Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera said: "Colorado will continue to do everything we can to ensure people don’t go hungry."

The White House announcement was posted on the Agriculture Department website.

COPS ARREST ROAD RAGE SHOOTING SUSPECT; SWAT TEAM RESPONDED

Cameron Michael Jackson, 35, of Boulder, was arrested as a suspect in a road rage shooting that shattered another driver's window on U.S. 36, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. The shooting occurred Saturday near the McCaslin Boulevard exit and the victim suffered a minor injury, officials said. The Boulder Police Department SWAT team was on the scene of Sunday's arrest at an apartment complex in the 3500-block of Nottingham Court in the city. The suspect was arrested without incident. "Through surveillance and other investigative efforts, detectives obtained an arrest warrant," the sheriff's office said.

MOTORCYCLE RIDER INJURED ON I-70

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured Sunday on westbound I-70 at Washington Street in Denver, police said.

KIDNAPPED ADAMS COUNTY KIDS RESCUED IN TEXAS

Bound for the Mexican border, Magali Mejia Sanchez, 31, was arrested in Texas early Sunday - suspected of abducting her two children from Adams County, officials said. Police rescued the children.

"Mejia Sanchez was restrained from contact with the children and could only have supervised visits with them," the Adams County Sheriff's Office said.

Police in Fredericksburg, Texas, detained her and rescued the children - a boy, 13, and a girl, 11 - without incident, officials said. 

The children were abducted Saturday on Faraday Street in Adams County. Official allege the woman told a guardian she was taking the youngsters to Mexico.

MOB TOWN: WHO'S WHO IN COLORADO'S COSA NOSTRA

The Daily Sketch presents here for the mob aficionado a Who's Who of known, alleged and purported members and associates of Colorado's "La Cosa Nostra" - from Flip-Flop to Fat Paulie to The Ram and Black Jim.

This motley roll call - it's partial for sure - covers the 20th Century, including known years of activity for some crooks, gleaned from bulletin board posts, books, newspaper accounts and law enforcement archives.

Early Colorado mafioso - criminal "homesteaders" so to speak - traveled West for bootlegging and branched out into gambling and assorted enterprises. Many went to prison. Some repeatedly. 

They were believed to have maintained diplomatic ties with St. Louis and New York mob families and other outsiders.

They were:

Giuseppe "Little Caesar" Roma (1931-1933). Reputed iron-fist boss No. 1 of Colorado La Cosa Nostra. A grocer. Murdered in his living room chair wearing his slippers in Denver in 1933. Pictured to right of photo. Ambitious and violent. Played mandolin. Denver's notorious Smaldone Brothers may have bumped him off. They said they didn't know anything.

Bootlegger Brothers Pete and Sam Carolino. Controlled much of the state's prohibition liquor trade. Murdered in Southern Colorado and Denver, respectively. Pete Carolino, pictured to left of photo with Roma, was accused of bombing his own home on Federal Boulevard in Denver to collect insurance proceeds. It was a professional job.

Charles "Charlie" Blanda (1933-1953). Elevated to boss after Roma's murder. Vincenzo James "Black Jim" Colletti (1931-1972). Elevated to boss when Blanda was sentenced to prison. Born in Sicily. Operated cheese business in Pueblo. Attended embarrassing Apalachin summit of U.S. mob leaders raided by police. 

The Smaldone Brothers. Major gambling figures. Eugene "Checkers" Smaldone (1947-1992). Clyde "Flip Flop" Smaldone (1942-1998). Clarence "Chauncey" Smaldone (1960s-2006), Denver's last known capo. Owned Gaetano's Restaurant at 38th and Tejon in North Denver. Tied to a number of slayings. As with Roma's murder, didn't know anything - though Eugene and Clyde got wrapped up in federal jury rigging.  

Harold "Murph" Cohen, gambler, went missing after dining at Gaetano's in 1949. Body found in chains in lake in Jefferson County in 1950. Autopsy suggested he never made it past his salad before he was abducted and/or whacked. No pasta. Cohen's friend Mike Falbo was murdered in Adams County in 1948 near gambling den. Again, the Smaldone Brothers didn't know anything.
Former University of Colorado football lineman, gambler and reputed Smaldone associate John "Skip" LaGuardia murdered outside his Lakewood home in 1973. Body sprawled on front lawn. LaGuardia sidekick Ralph "Ralphie Pizzazz" Pizzalato murdered in Denver in 1974. Shot in car in tavern parking lot. 

Robin "Walkie Talkie" Roberts, police informant, found dead in ditch in Applewood in Jefferson County in 1963.

Eugene "Young Gene" Smaldone Jr. (1975-1996). Soldier, son of Checkers.

Rosario Dionisio (1931-1955). Caporegime. Ran gambling in Trinidad. Co-owner of Colorado Cheese Company. Born in Sicily. Robert Dionisio (1947-1971). Caporegime, son of Rosario, member of Trinidad Crew.

Joseph "The Ram" Salardino (1931-1967). Caporegime, Pueblo Crew. Gus Salardino (1931-1971). Brother of Joseph. Owned Paradise Club in Canon City. Member, Pueblo Crew.

Joseph James "Scotty" Spinuzzi (1931-1975). Elevated to state boss after James Colletti stepped down in 1972. Anthony "Turk" Spinuzzi (1931-1978) Soldier, brother of Joseph. Member, Pueblo Crew.

Thomas "Whiskers" Incerto (1931-1983). Consigliere. Louis Brindisi (1931-1942). Soldier, Pueblo Crew. John Pacello (1931-1933). Soldier, murdered in 1933. 

August "Augie" Marino (1931-1933). Soldier, murdered in 1933. Frank "Blackie" Mazza (1935-1969). Soldier, Denver Crew. Paul "Fat Paulie" Villano (1968-2003). Soldier, Denver Crew. John Pricco (1940s-1963) Soldier, Pueblo Crew. Michael "M.T." Tomeo (1968-1992) Soldier, Denver Crew. Gerald LoSasso (1950s-1977) Soldier, Denver Crew.

Paul "The Harp" Enrichi (1933-1993). Soldier, Pueblo Crew. James Spinelli (1931-1950s). Soldier, Denver Crew. Owner of the Circus Bar in Denver. Born in Calabria. Michael "Mike Parker" Pauldino. (1940s-1977). Soldier, Denver Crew. 

Frank "Bull" DeMarco (1931-1960s). Soldier, Denver Crew. Dave "Buck" Buccambuso (1931-1962). Soldier, Pueblo Crew. Carl Cascio (1942-1965). Soldier, Pueblo Crew. Owner of Owls Den Bar in Blend, Colorado. Frank Mortellaro (1942-1957). Soldier, Denver Crew. Paul Surace (1940s-1967) Soldier, Trinidad Crew.

[Photos: Public Domain]

WOMAN DEAD IN LODO HIT AND RUN; DRIVER FLED ON FOOT, SUSPECT ARRESTED

UPDATE A woman was killed in a hit-and-run accident early Sunday at 16th and Market streets in Denver's popular Lodo partying district, reports said. A suspect, Milton McBride, was arrested in the 1700-block of Wazee Street and held for investigation of vehicular homicide, police said. The tragedy occurred at about 2:15 a.m. From the scene, Fox 31 reported the driver of the vehicle - a red pickup truck - fled on foot. The vehicle also struck an information kiosk. Police towed the truck.

TODAY'S CHUCKLE

"Our differences are only skin deep, but our sames go down to the bone” – Marge Simpson

LIFE OFTEN DEMANDS MORE THAN A GARDEN HOSE

Fire destroyed the Western Laundry Company in Denver "owing to the fact that the night watchman lost fully a half an hour in attempting to fight the fire himself with the aid of a garden hose," Fire and Engineering magazine said. It happened June 21, 1922.

FATAL WRECK IN BOULDER COUNTY

A fatal traffic accident Saturday closed Highway 119 from the traffic circle in Nederland to Hurricane Hill, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. The accident occurred at Highway 119 - also known as Boulder Canyon Road - and East Street.

APARTMENT BUILDING FIRE, NO INJURIES

Firefighters extinguished an apartment fire Saturday in the vicinity of Clarkson Street and 23rd Avenue in Denver. No injuries were reported. [Photo: Denver Fire Department]

STATE PATROL WARNING

Motorists stopped for DUI checks in Colorado could automatically lose their licenses if they refuse a chemical test. They'd also be classified "persistent drunk drivers" requiring an ignition interlock - even if there is no DUI conviction, the state patrol warns. [Photo: Colorado State Patrol]

NO, THIS AIN'T MIAMI BEACH

Emergency crews in western Colorado rescued a father and son from Florida trapped in a jeep along snow-packed Engineer Pass, according to Hinsdale County Search and Rescue. The treacherous operation took place Thursday, officials said.

[Photo: Hinsdale Search and Rescue]

CRISIS STRIKES HOSPITALS ACROSS COLORADO

Almost 70% of hospitals across Colorado are "in financial stress" as they shoulder the burden of families losing health insurance and grapple with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement that fall short of their actual costs, the Colorado Hospital Association warns.

SEEK FRESH CLUES IN 1983 MURDER

UPDATE

The Weld County Sheriff's Office is seeking fresh clues in a murder that occurred four decades and named a suspect, Benedicto Samuel Carrion, officials said Saturday.

Cold Case Detective Byron Kastilahn said: “If you have known Benedicto and have information on this case we want to hear from you. You never know what even a small amount of information can lead to.”

The victim, Alex Casimiro Morado, 29, was spending time at the at Bruce's Bar in Severance on Oct 23, 1983, and left the bar in the company of others.

Investigators determined as argument ensued on Weld County Road 74, five miles east of Eaton. Morado's body was found two days later in an irrigation ditch west of Weld County Roads 74 and 27, near Severance, with stab wounds.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said Carrion is still alive. He is believed to be 80.

If you have information, call the Weld County tip lie at (970) 304-6464 or e-mail Crimetips@weld.gov

AUTO SLAMS INTO HOME; FIREFIGHTERS PROP UP SAGGING WALL

UPDATE

An auto slammed into a home near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard - and firefighters worked to stabilize the damaged structure, the Denver Fire Department said early Saturday. No injuries were reported. [Photos: Denver Fire Department]

NINE-CAR CRASH ON I-225

Police reported a nine-car crash on Friday night on I-225 near Parker Road in Aurora. "Numerous people have been transported to the hospital, including at least one with serious injuries," police said. The accident occurred in the southbound lanes.

CELEBRATE 'GORGEOUS' WEEKEND WEATHER

The National Weather Service says: "This weekend will have gorgeous weather. Highs in the low 70s across the plains each day with ample sunshine today and a mix of clouds and sun on Sunday." [Image: National Weather Service]

APPEAL FOR HELP AS LOCAL FOOD AID SUPPLIES RUN OUT; WASHINGTON BLAMED

Denver 7 reports the Salvation Army in Aurora is appealing for help as it struggles with a rocketing increase in demand for food as the federal shutdown threatens nutrition aid. "It's insane to see what we're seeing right now," a Salvation Army official says.

TODAY'S CHUCKLE

“Every difficult conversation starts with a sentence” - Selina Meyer

TRUCKER CHARGED IN I-70 FIREBALL

The Colorado State Patrol charged the driver of a semi-truck that plowed into another big rig in a fireball with careless driving. The wreck occurred Friday on westbound I-70 near C-470 in Adams County. No injuries were reported.

[Photo: Colorado State Patrol] 

ARREST SUSPECT IN DEADLY WRECK ON HIGHWAY 85

Cesar Hernandez Sanchez has been arrested on drunken driving charges stemming from a four-vehicle crash that killed one person and injured two others on Highway 85 in Wheat Ridge, police said Friday.

"Initial reports indicated a car was traveling westbound and crossed over the dirt median into eastbound traffic, police said.

Sanchez, 32, was also injured in the Oct. 17 wreck. He was released from hospital Thursday and taken into police custody.

[Photo: Wheat Ridge Police Department]

MAN'S LIFE IN DANGER AFTER SHOOTING

A man was shot Friday on Del Mar Circle in Aurora and sustained "life-threatening injuries," police said.

[Photo: Aurora Police Department]

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

This large - make that very large - nocturnal visitor was spotted patrolling a neighborhood near Louisville on Thursday night.

[Photo: Courtesy of Carmen Porter] 

NO TIME TO PARTY

Wall Street economist Diane Swonk tells Fortune magazine: "The only groups that feel good about the economy now are making over $200,000 ... and have large stock portfolios.”

THREE-TIME DEPORTEE CAPTURED AS SUSPECT IN I-225 SHOOTING

Celin Villeda Orellana, 38, of Honduras, has been arrested as a suspect in the shooting of a motorist on I-225 in Aurora, police said Friday. Orellana - who has a criminal record and had been deported on three occasions - was planning to flee the country, police said. He was taken into custody Thursday. The crime occurred early Saturday when the motorist was shot and critically wounded by someone in a passing auto. Police used Flock traffic surveillance cameras to track down the suspect.

3 BIG RIGS CRASH IN FLAMES ON I-70, HALT TRAFFIC

UPDATE

Three semi-trucks collided Friday on busy I-70 near East Colfax Avenue in Aurora - and one of the big rigs erupted in flames.

The rush hour crash, which occurred at 8:20 a.m., closed both lanes of the interstate, the Colorado State Patrol said.

Meantime, a man, age 85, died Friday when his pickup truck hauling a trailer rolled into the center median on I-25 near Fountain, the state patrol said.

BIG METH BUST IN ADAMS COUNTY

In a major drug haul, deputies seized 50 pounds of methamphetamine, two handguns and several thousands of dollars cash after stopping an auto in unincorporated Adams County, the sheriff's offices said Friday.

A subsequent search warrant executed at a home, uncovered 20 additional pounds of methamphetamine as well as 1.29 kilos of cocaine, two handguns, a rifle and several thousands of dollars, officials said.

One suspect was arrested after last week's discoveries, officials said.

OPEN CRIMINAL PROBE OF I-70 CAR FIRE

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office opened a "criminal investigation" of a Friday car fire on westbound I-70 near the Genesee exit, officials said.

Westbound I-70 closed at Lookout Mountain in Colorado due to car fire https://t.co/TihTnBBMMK

— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) October 24, 2025

THIEF STEALS 21 STEEL MANHOLE COVERS

The British tabloid Daily Star reports a determined thief snatched 21 steel manhole covers in a single night on Edgewood Road in London. "We think that it was for scrap metal," a neighbor said.

[Photo: Social Media]

TODAY'S CHUCKLE

"I intend to live forever or die trying" - Groucho Marx

U.S. ECONOMY AILING, EXPERT WARNS

Top economist Paul Krugman is warning America's economy is “in worse shape than it looks” and a recession may be looming. AI is “booming” but otherwise "companies aren’t hiring or investing,” Krugman said. His comments were reported by HuffPost.

SCOOTER CRASH

A standup scooter and auto collided Thursday night in a "serious" accident on West 88th Avenue in Thornton, police said.

LODO STABBING

A person was stabbed Thursday night in the 1700-block of Wazee Street in Denver, police said.

COPS HUNT MASKED ROLLER BLADE CREEP WIELDING HOCKEY STICK

Police are hunting for a masked man on roller blades who attacked a bicycle rider with a hockey stick in Boulder.

The victim was able to snap photos of the suspect, who was dressed in black and wore a black mask, on a sidewalk near 27th Way and Baseline, police said.

The victim declined medical treatment after Thursday night's bizarre assault.

In you have information, call Boulder police and reference case number #25-10213.

STATE AID FOR NATIONAL PARK

Colorado is providing state funds to keep two visitors centers open at Rocky Mountain National Park as the federal government shutdown drags on, Governor Jared Polis said Thursday.

STRANGER STABS TEACHER IN UNPROVOKED SCHOOL ATTACK

A crazed suspect stabbed a teacher Thursday in an apparently unprovoked attack outside Meadow Community School in Thornton.

Police identified the suspect as Damien Brooks, 31. The teacher, a man, was transported to hospital and is expected to survive. "It appears the attack was unprovoked, and there is no known relationship between the victim and the suspect," police said. "Victim advocates responded to assist students and staff who witnessed the incident." The school is located on Monroe Street. [Photo: Thornton Police Department]

POLICE ISSUE ALERT FOR EAST DENVER HIT & RUN NISSAN

A hit-and-run Nissan Rouge with silver alloy wheels struck and injured a pedestrian on East Colfax Avenue in Denver, police said.

The felony occurred near the intersection of North Verbena Street at 8:34 p.m. Wednesday and the black SUV may have sustained damage on the passenger side and may be a missing mirror, police said.

 If you have information, call Metro Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

[Photo: Denver Police Department]

TOWERING INFERNO AT HUNGARIAN MILLS

Leaping flames destroyed a five-story grain elevator at the Hungarian Mills in Denver's Lodo district - more than a century ago.

As the blaze burned, on Oct. 21, 1908, office staff rescued the books and laborers struggled to save anything else that wasn't nailed down. The towering inferno reached beyond fire department hose lines and roared out of control for an hour. 

Fire and Water Engineering magazine said: "When Chief T. F. Owens and the department arrived on the scene, they found that the fire, which had been set in the wagon shed and had spread thence to the bottom of an air-flue, was blazing furiously. It had made its way up the flue and involved 75 ft. of the roof."

The doomed elevator was located at old 7th and Wazee streets. The old-line Denver business was named for a milling process developed in Hungary.

CORONER IDENTIFIES DEAD WOMAN FOUND IN ABANDONED GREENHOUSE

The Pueblo County Coroner identified a woman found dead in an abandoned greenhouse on Highway 96 as Alicia Espinoza, 40, of Pueblo, the sheriff's office said Thursday. Espinoza's death is considered suspicious. Her body was found Oct. 15. If you have information, call (719) 583-6436.

WHERE'S THE FIRE?

A Littleton police officer stopped a pickup truck rocketing at almost 100 mph in a construction zone on Santa Fed Boulevard - good for a 20-point ticket and driver license suspension, officials said Thursday. [Photo: Littleton Police Department]

MISSING TODDLER RESCUED, DAD ARRESTED

A toddler forcibly taken by his father has been rescued and reunited with his mom, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and local police said Thursday.

Sebastian Salvador, 2, was last seen Wednesday evening on West 92nd Avenue in Federal Heights.

His father, Louis Salvador, 41, was arrested on a warrant for felony domestic violence assault, misdemeanor child abuse and a restraining order violation.

"Following the issuance of the alert, local, state and federal law enforcement partners engaged in an extensive search resulting in the safe recovery of the child," CBI said.

DENVER BASKETBALL LEGEND CHAUNCY BILLUPS NABBED IN MAFIA X-RAY POKER STING; HE DENIES CHARGES

UPDATE

The FBI busted Denver basketball legend Chauncey Billups - now head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers - and others in a nationwide Mafia gambling scam employing X-ray poker card readers.

Mobsters lured gamblers lured into card games - in Las Vegas, Miami and New York - with promises of meeting and competing with professional athletes, the FBI alleged.

The elaborate, years-long scheme employed sophisticated technology - such as X-ray equipment built into the card tables, cameras tucked in poker trays and sci-fi sunglasses - to snoop on gamblers the mobsters called "fish."

Hall of Fame honoree Billups, 49, graduated from Denver's George Washington High School, where he was a four-time All-State first team pick. He went onto play at the University of Colorado, the Denver Nuggets and other NBA teams

A total of 34 people were charged in the card scam as well as a separate sports betting operation drawing on confidential information on NBA players and teams 

"Not only did we crack into the fraud these perpetrators committed on the grand stage of the NBA, but we also entered and executed a system of justice against La Cosa Nostra, to include the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime families," FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday.

Yahoo Sports reported Billups' lawyer, Chris Heywood, said: "To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game."

[Photos: Wikipedia]

SEEK CRIME CLUES IN DEATH NEAR AIRPORT

The Weld County Sheriff's Office is piecing together events leading to last weekend's death of pedestrian Talia Rodriguez, 20, near Greeley-Weld Airport. The tragedy occurred at about 1:42 a.m. Sunday at Weld County Road 60.5 and Weld County Road 47.

"Detectives are investigating the timeframe of events that occurred prior to the traffic crash to determine if any crimes occurred prior to the crash," the sheriff's office said. If you have information, contact Detective Kayla McKinney at (970) 815-1792 or contact Weld County's confidential tip line at (970) 304-6464 or e-mail Crimetips@weld.gov

COLD CASE: SMILES' EXECUTION-STYLE SLAYING ON 11TH AVENUE

A man nicknamed "Smiles" was shot in the head execution-style while walking down a street listening to a radio.

Larry Loucka, 28, was fatally hurt in the 400-block of East 11th Avenue in Denver on Sept. 8, 1974 - and died early the next day, police said. Louka had just moved back to Denver from Phoenix and his last known address was 1630 Humbolt Street.

"His assailant fired three shots," the Rocky Mountain News said. "At least one of the bullets hit Loucka under the right ear."

The gunman turned and ran. Detective Ralph Callahan told the News no motive had been established and nothing was taken. The case went cold.

The Smaldone crime family - suspected in a number of execution-style murders over the years - was still active in Denver in 1974.  

[Photo: Colorado Bureau of Investigation]

TODDLER IN NINJA TURTLE PAJAMAS GOES MISSING

A toddler accompanied by his father went missing Wednesday night - and police are concerned for the little boy's safety, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said in an alert.

Sebastian Salvador, 2, with brown eyes and brown hair, was wearing Ninja Turtle pajamas, CBI said. His father is named Louis Salvador, 41.

If you have information, call 911. 

[Photo: CBI]

HE'S SAFE: POLICE LOCATE MAN WITH ALZHEIMER'S

Lakewood police located a man suffering from Alzheimer's who failed to return from his midday daily walk Wednesday. The man, age 75, is safe and back home, according to a statement posted on social media early Thursday.

GOOD SAMARITAN CUB SCOUT

Rejoice! There's at least one generous soul in the world today. A thoughtful lad named Carter - representing Cub Scout Pack #19 - delivered a crate of popcorn to members of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. [Photo: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office]

HIT & RUN CHEVY SOUGHT IN DEADLY SHOPPING CART CRASH

Police are seeking clues in a hit-and-run crash that fatally injured a man pushing a shopping cart in Aurora - and they are already in possession of key evidence.
Parts of the vehicle - most likely a dark-colored Chevy Impala, Malibu or Cruze sedan - were found at the scene, and it's likely the auto sustained damage to the front passenger side. The tragedy occurred on East Hampden Avenue just east of South Picadilly Street at about 6 a.m. on Oct. 1 and the suspect may have continued toward Gun Club Road, police said. [Photo: Aurora Police Department]

SCOOTER ACCIDENT HURTS 1

A person was seriously injured when a standup scooter and an auto collided Wednesday in the 5100-block of Gray Street in Denver, police said.

BLAZING TRASH PLANT IN COMMERCE CITY

UPDATE

South Adams County firefighters battled a trash plant fire that sent a smoke plume towering over Commerce City on Wednesday. No injuries were reported at the site at 54th Avenue and Jackson Street. Sprinklers helped contain the flames.

[Photo: South Adams County Fire Department]

HUNT EARLY BIRD ESTATE SALE THIEF

He can't wait for the bargains to begin.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is searching for an estate sale burglar who strikes just before the sales begin.

"A few houses were left unlocked, while other houses had forced entry through windows in the back or basement," the sheriff's office said. The Douglas County break-ins occurred in Highlands Ranch and Roxborough. Similar burglaries have been reported in other parts of the Denver area, including Lakewood, officials said. [Photo: Douglas County Sheriff's Office]

LIFE IN PRISON FOR AURARIA KILLER

Gregory Stapleton, 42, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally stabbing a man near the Auraria Camous on Sept. 8, 2020, the Denver DA's Office said Wednesday. [Photo: Denver Police Department]

SICK SCAM AIMED AT LOST PET OWNERS

CBS Denver reports scammers - impersonating a local animal clinic - are calling owners of lost pets demanding payment for veterinary services via the Internet.

The scammers apparently get their information from missing pet posters in Denver area neighborhoods. They don't have the pets.

The crooks tell the pet owners they owe $3,000 for surgery but would discount the fee if paid to a fraud called "Animal Care Credit," CBS Denver said.

FIRE BREAKS OUT IN JOHNSTOWN

Fire broke out early Wednesday at the Ledge Rock Apartments in Johnstown, Front Range Fire Rescue said. No injuries were reported. A sprinkler system helped contain the blaze.

[Photo: Front Range Fire]

MASSIVE POLICE RAIDS ACROSS DENVER AREA YIELD CRIME RING ARRESTS

UPDATE Waging war on a criminal syndicate, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, aided by local SWAT teams, executed nine search warrants early Wednesday in raids across the Denver area. The illegal enterprise, operating under the cover of a limited liability company, is tied to almost $1 million in a variety of thefts throughout the Front Range - including autos delivered at chop shops. 

The lightning police raids followed an 18-month grand jury investigation. "A massive crime ring has been brought to a screeching halt,” said Michael Dougherty, Boulder County District Attorney. Five people were arrested. The search warrants were executed in unincorporated Boulder and Adams counties and Denver, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Federal Heights and Johnstown, the sheriff's office said. The location of the raids: 

14000-block of N. Pecos St., unincorporated Adams County 3500-block of W. 64th Ave., unincorporated Adams County 16000-block of 104th Ave., unincorporated Adams County 15000-block of Huron St., unincorporated Adams County 3500-block of E. 160th Ave., unincorporated Adams County 3700-block of Owens St., Wheat Ridge 8900-block of Federal Blvd., Federal Heights 400-block of Gateway Dr., Johnstown 2100-block of 21st St., unincorporated Boulder County.  

MOB TOWN: 'MAFIA' MURDER OF ITALIAN COP IN DENVER

A rookie Italian-American police officer was slain in a hail of 28 bullets - an early victim of Colorado's years-long mob war over the bootleg liquor trade during Prohibition.

Officer Richie Rose, 30, was ambushed by a platoon of gunmen while on foot patrol in Denver's Little Italy before dawn on Oct. 31, 1922 - ostensibly because he refused bribes.

Rose, still a rookie, was one of the few Italians on the force - but there were plenty of Italian bootleggers in Colorado, and at least one in his extended family.

"Mafia, Mafia, Mafia," were his dying words, according to some newspaper reports, which may have been somewhat exaggerated. The assailants likely hailed from out of state to evade capture - and were by all accounts Italian, too.

Rose was on hand for at least seven bootleg arrests in 1921 and 1922, based on police records obtained by the Rocky Mountain News. 

However, the case quickly went cold - and over 14 years the mob war claimed more than 30 lives across the state, including Rose's brother-in-law, bootlegger Vincenzo Urso in Pueblo the next year. Urso was slain by a shotgun blast while riding in the backseat of a car on June 19, 1923.

Rose was survived by his pregnant wife, Jennie, three sons and a daughter. Their fifth child, a girl, was born in April. They resided at 3738 Kalamath Street. Mrs. Rose heard the shots, ran to the scene in her nightgown and rode in the ambulance carrying her husband to Denver General Hospital.  

Reviewing the case years later, Rocky Mountain News reporter Bernard McSherry wrote: "Manager of Safety Frank M. Downer closed up Little Italy tighter than a drum. ... Every suspicious Italian in Denver was rounded up. But none of them broke."  

Rose's mother, Mary Decicco of 3715 Mariposa Street, offered a $50 reward that went toward a larger fund for information leading to the arrest of the killers.

[Photo: Denver Police Department, Rocky Mountain News]

Crime scene photo showing where Richie Rose fell. Photo of wife Jennie and children, Philip, Angelo, Eva and Joseph.