Arrest Made in Sterling Business Burglaries

***Press Release***

Between the early morning hours of September 26, 2014 and the early morning hours of October 13, 2014, burglaries at the following local businesses were reported to the Sterling Police Department: Cocina Alvarado Restaurant, Henry’s Pub and Club, J & L Café, The Tan Zone and Body by M.E.

Throughout the investigation, which included obtaining and executing search warrants, evidence was collected and stolen property was recovered. In addition, an illegal weapon was seized.

On October 22, 2014, an arrest warrant was obtained in connection with these cases for Pierre Hightower, 35 years of age who is a resident of Sterling.

Mr. Hightower was arrested on October 22, 2014 and is currently being held in the Logan County Jail on the following charges:

• Second Degree Burglary (4 counts), a class 4 Felony
• Third Degree Burglary (5 counts), a class 5 Felony
• Possession of Burglary Tools, a class 5 Felony
• Theft , a class 6 Felony
• Criminal Mischief (4 counts) , a class 6 Felony
• First Degree Criminal Tampering (4 counts), a class 1 Misdemeanor
• Possession of an Illegal Weapon, a class 1 Misdemeanor
• Obstruction of Telephone Service, a class 1 Misdemeanor

The Sterling Police Department is continuing its investigation into these crimes and other burglaries; anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant James Rank at 970-522-3512 EXT 4226 or our Investigations Unit at EXT 4214 or 4215.

Update to Sterling Stabbing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2014

UPDATE

On September 3, 2014, the Sterling Police Department began an investigation into a stabbing incident that occurred at 422 Chestnut Street in Sterling, Colorado.

The individuals involved were:

• Frederick Granillo, Age 52, of Sterling
• Marie Granillo, Age 48, of Sterling

Mr. and Mrs. Granillo are married but did not reside together; the incident occurred in Ms. Granillo’s home.

Mrs. Granillo had multiple stab wounds and Mr. Granillo had multiple self-inflicted stab wounds. Both were initially treated at Sterling Regional MedCenter and then flown to a Denver hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Marie Granillo continues to receive medical care in Denver, Colorado.

Frederick Granillo died on September 9, 2014, in Denver, Colorado.   

Charges Filed In Deadly January Sterling House Fire

***Press Release***

After a thorough and detailed investigation conducted by the Sterling Police Department in collaboration with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Sterling Fire Department and the 13^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, criminal charges have been filed against two people involved in a deadly house fire that occurred on January 13, 2014, at 125 State Street, Sterling.

On March 18, 2014, Julia Welton age 27, and Christopher Welton age 33, were indicted by the 13^th Judicial District-Wide Grand Jury on the following charges:

• Negligent Child Abuse Resulting Death, a class 3 Felony
• Negligent Child Abuse-No Injury, a class 3 Misdemeanor
• 3 counts-Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a class 4 Felony

Warrants were issued for Julia and Christopher Welton and they were subsequently arrested at their home located at 519 Chestnut Street. Their bond has been set at $100,000.

Man Arrested At NJC With BB Gun

***Press Release***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On February 6, 2014, at approximately 10:27 PM, Sterling Police Officers arrived on scene at Herboldsheimer Hall on the Northeastern Junior College Campus in reference to a report of a male in the building with a gun, or possibly a BB gun.

Upon arrival, officers immediately obtained all the information available in order to quickly locate the suspect. Officers began a search for the suspect and an order to “lock down” the campus was administered. During the systematic search by Officers, to include dorm rooms, additional information was obtained as to a more specific location of the suspect.

At approximately 10:41 PM, officers located the suspect in a dorm room. The suspect was identified as John Solomon, 19 years of age of Sterling.

Mr. Solomon did have in his possession a BB gun modeled to look like a real handgun and was taken into custody without incident.  

The investigation determined Mr. Solomon is not a student and has no association with NJC. He was also not known to those whose dorm room he was located in. Additional security sweeps of all the dorm buildings were conducted out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all students and staff. The investigation indicated there were no other suspects or any additional threats and the “lock down” order was lifted. No students or any other individual was harmed during the incident.

Mr. Solomon is being held at the Logan County Jail on No Bond pending advisement for the following charges:

• 18-3-206(1)(a)-Felony Menacing-Class 5 Felony
• 18-9-109(6)(a)-Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational

              Institutions- Class 1 Misdemeanor

• 18-13-122-Illegal Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by an underage

              person- Class 2 Petty Offense

High Speed Pursuit Suspect Caught in Logan County

***Press Release***

On September 30^th, 2013, at approximately 6:00 P.M., the Logan County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a pursuit on Hwy 63.  Washington County Sheriff’s Office was the initiating agency and the pursuit was headed towards Logan County.  Estimated speeds of the pursuit were up to 110 mph.  The pursuit reached CR 25 & CR 10 in Logan County.  At this point, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office joined in the pursuit.  The suspect’s vehicle had entered a pasture in the area of CR 25 & CR 10.  At that time, the suspect vehicle caught on fire and the suspect, later identified as Stacy Kloberdanz, fled the scene.  A search ensued in the area, however Kloberdanz was not located.

On October 1^st, 2013, at approximately 7:30 A.M., an anonymous citizen called in to report a male matching the description of Kloberdanz was in the area of CR 8 & CR 29.  Deputies responded to that location and observed Kloberdanz in the area of CR 290 and CR 29.7.  Kloberdanz was placed into custody without incident.  Any further information regarding charges on Kloberdanz, please contact Washington County Sheriff’s Office.  

Schiel teaching CSI Investigators class for kids at NJC

***Press Release***

If you want to experience a teacher who really digs to teach, literally, then sign your child up for the “CSI Investigators” class that is part of the Summer 2013 Kids College line up at Northeastern Junior College.

Jeff Schiel, the same teacher that leads the annual dog and pig digs at NJC, and this last semester had a class do an autopsy on an alligator, will bringing learning to life when he takes seventh and eighth grades in this class through a criminal investigation on Monday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 24^th from, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each day.

Students will actually explore and evaluate a crime scene, learning about forensic anthropology, as they dig up evidence during a mock criminal investigation.  Cost of the class is $30     and students need to be registered to take it by July 18^th. Students should be entering the 7^th or 8^th grade this fall. To sign up for “CSI Investigators” taught by one of the most dynamic and popular instructors at NJC, call 521-6900.            

STERLING MAN ARRESTED ON POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS

***Press Release***

Sterling, Colorado – On January 29^th, 2013, Micah Kaiser, DOB 4/26/77, was arrested on charges of ‘Sexual Exploitation of Children’ C.R.S. 18-6-403, a class 4 Felony.  The Logan County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation on Kaiser, after receiving information regarding the possession of child pornographic material.  A search warrant was obtained on January 25^th, 2013, and executed that day.

During the search warrant, members of Colorado’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (I.C.A.C.), including the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, 13^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Sterling Police Department, Fort Morgan Police Department, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the execution of the warrant.  During that search, I.C.A.C Forensic Analysts were able to identify several items as suspected sexually exploitative material. 

Kaiser was booked into the Logan County Jail on the above charge, including a charge of ‘Violation of Bail Bond Conditions’.  Kaiser was held on no bond, pending advisement of the charges. 

The Colorado ICAC task Force consists of multiple Law Enforcement agencies trained and dedicated to protecting children online and investigating internet crimes against children.

For more information about the mission of the Colorado ICAC Task Force, what crimes are investigated, and which agencies are participating visit www. ColoradoICAC.com.

MAN ARRESTED ON THEFT & TRESPASS CHARGES

***Logan County Sheriff's Office Press Release***


Sterling, Colorado – On September 6th, 2011, Logan County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Russ Swingle responded to a report of a theft at 13572 CR 37 in Sterling. Upon arrival he received information from a female victim that she was carrying items into her house when she noticed her dog barking. She returned to her vehicle and observed a Hispanic male walking away from her car and then observed him run southbound on CR 37. The female victim checked her vehicle and observed that her purse was missing.

A search for the male ensued with the aid of the Sterling Police Department. The suspect, later identified as Roberto Lefever-Morales Jr., DOB 1/26/86, was observed in the area and attempted to elude deputies and officers on scene. After a short time, Lefever-Morales was apprehended and transported to the Logan County Detention Center. He is currently being held on charges of ‘First Degree Criminal Trespass’, a class 5 felony, ‘Theft’, a class 2 misdemeanor, and ‘Obstructing a Peace Officer’, a class 2 misdemeanor. He is being held on no bond, pending advisement. Lefever-Morales also had a warrant for his arrest out of the Colorado Department of Corrections for Violation of Parole with no bond.

The stolen purse, including all contents, were recovered and returned to the victim.

Logan County Crime Stoppers Asking For Help

***Sterling Police Department Press Release***

Logan County Crime Stoppers is asking your help in solving this crime:

On Tuesday, June 7, 2011, the Logan County Sheriff’s Department responded to a burglary at 3 C’s Hobby and Model, located in Logan County at 12755 CR 35.

Sometime between 7:00 pm, June 6 and 1:00 pm, June 7, persons unknown entered the business and removed a number of items. Taken in the burglary were radio controlled vehicles, nitro RC fuel and a large number of old coins. The value of the property stolen is almost $10,000.


If you have information on this crime, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 522-EYES (3937) or 1-800-444-3776. You give your information, not your name, and can earn up to $2,500 for useful tips leading to the arrest of criminals. You could earn up to $2,500.00 for information on these crimes, if you call by June 27, 2011. You can fight crime in your community by sending a tax-deductible donation to Logan County Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 801, Sterling, Colorado 80751.