No injuries were reported. [Photo: Denver Fire]
[Photo: U.S. Marshals Service]
Anthony Valenta, 28, was arrested as a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a woman at a gas station in Thornton, police said Thursday. Wednesday evening's attack occurred at the Maverick station at 237 East 120th Avenue.
"Officers were initially dispatched to a physical disturbance between a man and a woman," police said. "While officers were on the way to the scene, they received information that the man had stabbed the woman." "Valenta fled the scene before police arrived, and witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect's vehicle," police said. "Officers located Valenta driving the described vehicle in the area and took him into custody without incident." The woman was 40. [Photo: Thornton Police]
Prosecutors in Adams County decided against filing charges in Sunday's fatal shooting on Eagle Boulevard in Brighton, it was announced Thursday.
Brighton police had reported they identified Jeness Torres, 18, as a potential suspect in the case. Results of their investigation were presented to prosecutors for formal review.
"After a thorough examination of the evidence, our office determined that the facts do not support the filing of criminal charges, as we cannot disprove self-defense or defense of others in this incident," prosecutors said. "As a result, the District Attorney’s Office will not file charges in this matter.
The dead man was 33, police said. The incident occurred in the 3100-block of Eagle Boulevard.
As part of the plea agreement, Johnson is required to return the victim’s money, plus interest, and complete 60 hours of public service.
Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley said: "Had this case gone to trial, even a conviction and restitution order would not necessarily have meant the victim would immediately recover his money. This plea agreement gives him certainty and most importantly, a positive resolution.”
The DA's Office warned: "Romance scams can take many forms, but they often start with someone building trust and an emotional connection with a victim before asking for money. The request may be tied to a medical emergency, unexpected expense or other urgent situation."
[Photo: Arapahoe County Sheriff]
Joe Griggs-Sanders was sentenced to 42 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting of a teen in northeast Denver, prosecutors said. The victim, Adrian Ounnar, 15, was shot in a car on East 61st Avenue on Nov. 14, 2024, and died several days later. Griggs-Sanders was also sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree burglary in an unrelated case. He and several other defendants used a stolen car to crash into a small business and steal merchandise. The burglary sentence will run concurrently with the murder sentence.
"Investigators on scene determined that there were 48 total cattle on the truck pre-crash," the patrol said. "Of the 48 cattle, 10 were found dead, 29 were located alive, and currently 9 are unaccounted for."
The truck driver was transported to hospital.
Two teens died when their autos collided on I-70 just east of Rifle, propelling one vehicle into a semi-truck.
One of the autos was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway. The truck driver wasn't hurt in early Sunday's mangled wreck in Garfield County.
The state patrol said:
"The initial investigation shows that a blue 2022 Subaru, driven by a 17-year-old male, was going the wrong way, driving eastbound in the left westbound lane of I-70. A 2026 orange Peterbilt semi hauling a trailer, driven by a 35-year-old male, was traveling westbound in the right lane of westbound I70. A gray 2004 GMC Yukon, driven by an 18-year-old female, was westbound in the left lane of westbound I-70, passing the Peterbilt.
"The Subaru struck the GMC Yukon head-on in the left westbound lane, and the GMC then struck the trailer being hauled by the Peterbilt."
UPDATE
Six teens - ages 13 to 17 - face charges ranging from assault to theft and disorderly conduct in connection with a rampage by hundreds of youths at an Aurora shopping center, police announced Monday.
The near-riot occurred Aug. 30 at the shopping center near 6th Avenue and Peoria Street. Police ordered the crowd, which spilled into roadways, to disperse.
"The gathering, which was estimated to be between 500 and 1,000 people, appeared to have been organized through social media around an unpermitted event," police said. "What may have started as a social gathering quickly became a significant public safety issue as the crowd grew."
"As officers attempted to manage the gathering, groups entered nearby businesses, including a restaurant and a grocery store," police said. "While some simply ran through the businesses, others vandalized property and stole merchandise."
More than 70 police personnel responded - draining routine neighborhood patrols and other duties.
"Investigators were assigned to follow up on the case and to identify individuals who vandalized two local businesses, causing several thousand dollars in damage," police said. "They also learned of several fights that had subsequently taken place that required further investigation as well."
Police devoted about 180 hours to the investigation. All the suspects are from the Denver area.
A motorist died in a fiery, head-on crash Sunday on Weld County Road 100, east of Wellington. The other driver was hurt.
The state patrol said an eastbound Subaru Outback drove into the westbound lane of traffic hitting a Jeep Wrangler.
The Subaru burst into flame.
The driver of the Outback was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the Wrangler was to transported hospital with serious injuries. Both are women.
A man died in an ATV accident in Thornton, police said Sunday.
The wreck occurred near the 10600-block of Riverdale Road.
"Dispatchers were notified just before 9 a.m. after a passerby noticed an ATV upside down in a ditch west of the roadway," police said. "Investigators are still working to determine the exact time the crash occurred and the circumstances leading up to it.
"The preliminary investigation indicates a 42-year-old man was traveling on a path west of Riverdale Road when he lost control of the ATV and crashed into the ditch," police said. "Investigators do not believe any other vehicles or people were involved. The man was wearing a helmet and died at the scene."
