Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

Best of Denver Winners from 2000

Off Limits

Letters

Letters from the issue of Thursday, May 29, 2003

Caught in the Net

The Web was a pedophile's paradise -- until Mike and Cassandra Harris logged on.

Pucker Up

And the award for the worst Colorado performance on national TV goes to…

Strange but True

A year of dysfunctional family values -- and missing panties.

Judge Not

Randall Zimmerman was branded a child molester. A jury finally set him free.

Badge Happy

In Jefferson County, lots of folks want to be the new sheriff in town.

An Ugly Picture

The Colorado Supreme Court gets involved in a child-pornography case.

The Lost Command

Sheriff Stone's report says his officers did everything right at Columbine. The evidence tells a different story.

Black Marks

The Denver Police Department acts like it has something to hide about its clash with students at Thomas Jefferson High School. It does.

Colorado Crimes: So, Brian Wayne Coplen, about those 100 pot plants...

Brian Wayne Coplen. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office would like you to keep an eye out for Brian Wayne Coplen, who's wanted for questioning in relation to a March bust at a residence in Bennett that's suspected of being a marijuana-grow house. Either that or the more than 100 pot plants sproute ... More >>

Drive safely this weekend -- or else an army of cops will bust your ass

This weekend, law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force to make sure you don't do anything stupid behind the wheel over the Memorial Day weekend. This link on the Colorado Department of Transportation website details the specific plans of 85 separate organizations. For instanc ... More >>

Colorado Crimes: Authorities are on the lookout for a penis

Flashing: What a bad feeling -- especially if you're the one being unexpectedly confronted with a closeup view of genitals you really didn't want to see in the first place. According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, a young man has been waving his package around in serial fashion: once la ... More >>

Colorado Crimes: Cops really want to bust accused pot grower Brian Wayne Coplen -- and an accomplice, too

Brian Wayne Coplen.Melissa Violet Haraldson. Don't know if Brian Wayne Coplen, 24, is the most wanted man in Arapahoe County -- but representatives of the sheriff's office are going out of their way to snare him. A month after sending out a press release about Coplen's alleged complicity in a marij ... More >>

Another video masturbator wanted for oversharing in a big way

A sketch of an indecent-exposure suspect. Three similar incidents in a short period of time are said to constitute a trend -- but two is close enough, particularly when it comes to high-tech indecent exposure. To whit: On June 3, according to the Parker Police Department, a man used a laptop or por ... More >>

July 4: What you can blow up and where

A Flickr photo So you want to set some shit off this weekend? Because different jurisdictions have different rules, fireworks that may be perfectly lawful on one block may be illegal on the next. Most items that neither explode nor leave the ground are permissible in Colorado. But in Wheat Ridge, a ... More >>

Sheriff's Office takes down a cougar

Sleep well, Ms. Cougar.​Cougars: They're all too common these days, and they must be stopped. Especially the four-legged kind. Yesterday, members of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office received a call about a female mountain lion in the vicinity of 26900 East Colfax Avenue, and home owner Fr ... More >>

Is Richard Quinn the next Brandon Marshall?

Richard Quinn.​Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, a multiple Shmuck of the Week champ, acts as if no one knows the trouble he's seen (or stirred). Now, however, the team has a pass-catcher with whom Marshall can definitely relate: tight end Richard Quinn, a second-round draft pick from North C ... More >>

Suddenly, it's war on Colorado nail salons

A Flickr photo​ Earlier today, we told you about burglars wanted for nine attempted or actual robberies committed in Aurora over a seven-hour period between Sunday night and Monday morning, most of them targeting nail and hair salons. Now, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office reveals that anot ... More >>

Behold, the couple that loves/hates salons

Michael Lowry and Lauren Polzine on MySpace.​In recent days, metro salons have been under assault, and not just from people upset that that the Chinese symbol they paid to have drawn on their nails looks like unidentifiable smegma. First, the Aurora Police Department reported nine break-ins, m ... More >>

Library flasher one book you don't want to open

A man with a (gross) plan.​The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is looking for a penis -- one attached to the guy pictured here. On September 12 at around 1:30 p.m., he entered the Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly Street in Centennial, and promptly gave others in the facility a chance to check o ... More >>

Courthouse parking lot stabbing half-Jerry Springer, half-Quentin Tarantino

"Don't we search you people for weapons before we let you in here?"​UPDATED, October 29, 1:45 p.m.: The participants in this bloody no-love triangle have been named, and we've got a photo of the stabber, below the original item: Not all mash-ups work: Even Glee-master Will Schuester couldn't ... More >>

Mile High Murder, No. 51: Andrew Gelston Graham found dead on 8700 block of East Philips Place

View Larger Map Not one, not two, but three homicide-related deaths in a 24-hour period? What is this, Detroit? The latest report, as related by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, leaves more questions open than it answers. Early this morning, officers responded to a call on the 8700 block of Ea ... More >>

Mile High Murder, No. 51: Do you recognize anyone in Andrew Gelston Graham surveillance vidoes?

Update, November 24, 6:45 a.m.: Last night, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office sponsored a well-attended public meeting for Centennial residents concerned about the lack of progress in finding the person or persons who took Andrew Gelston Graham's life. ACSO representatives said they're still loo ... More >>

Operation Dead-Beat Parent sweeps up almost half of top child-support avoiders

"If I win, I hope to hell he pays child support."​One reason so many parents skip out on child support after a divorce: Given how overburdened the system is, there's seldom anyone in authority to make them keep the money train rolling. In an attempt to change that equation, the Arapahoe Count ... More >>

Suspect likely answers to the name of Jared

Not this mug's mug shots​This just in from Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson: On December 27, 2009, at approximately 1:54 P.M., Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to the Subway restaurant located at 18525 East Smoky Hill Road, Unit L, on the report of an armed robbery. ... More >>

Narima Dzhulfayeva, Mile High Murder No. 75: Woman allegedly killed by Roberto Silva, who later committed suicide while in custody

This is presumably the last photo ever taken of Roberto Silva.​Two people are dead as a result of a thoroughly unromantic incident that took place on Valentine's Day in Glendale -- Narima Dzhulfayeva, who was allegedly murdered by Roberto Silva, and Silva himself, who subsequently killed himse ... More >>

Marijuana at the end of the St. Paddy's Day rainbow: Arapahoe County to return two pounds of pot seized from caregiver last year

For this case, Rob Corry seemed to tap the luck of the Irish.​Today should turn out to be a very good St. Paddy's Day for Colin Olmstead, since he'll be getting a whole lot of green from the Arapahoe County DA's office -- and by green, we mean two pounds of pot. Olmstead had the marijuana con ... More >>

Medical marijuana returned by sheriff's office a year after seizure: See the photos

Photo by Timothy Tipton, courtesy of Cannabis Health News Journal (click to enlarge)​Yesterday, reporter Joel Warner told you about Araphaoe County's decision to return two pounds of marijuana from Colin Olmstead more than a year after it was seized. The ganja was being driven to a dispensary ... More >>

Ari Misha Liggett: Weird chemicals spark calls to bomb squad, hazmat crew -- and a seven-hour closure of Boulder Homeless Shelter

Ari Misha Liggett, alleged amateur chemist.​The warrant out for Ari Misha Liggett's arrest didn't mention anything about potentially explosive chemicals. According to Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office bureau chief Bruce Williamson, the Centennial man was wanted for illegal weapons possession -- ... More >>

Brian John Neafus allegedly uses dad's access card to steal drugs from fire-rescue building

Brian John Neafus allegedly thought he had the key to the candy store.​When dad's away, the kid will play -- even if the kid's 22 years old. That's the assertion of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office in regard to Brian John Neafus. Early last Thursday, the ACSO was called to investigate a b ... More >>

J.R. Smith's home robbed: Losses include $15,000 in "gambling money"

An unhappy J.R.​Update, 3:33 p.m.: Read it below the original 11:47 a.m. item. The Nuggets' J.R. Smith had a rough season, spending more time in the doghouse than outside it. But the doghouse may have been safer than the Cherry Hills Country Club mansion he's been renting. Burglars messed wit ... More >>

Leo Garcia: Did he kidnap his grandson, Matthew Garcia?

Leo Garcia.​Kidnappings of the child-custody variety are all too common these days. But they don't often involve disagreements between grandparents. That seems to be what's happening in the case of Matthew Garcia, eight, whose grandfather, Leo Garcia, is suspected of taking him. Look below to ... More >>

Arapahoe County kidnapping suspect allegedly went after 14-year old near Cherry Knolls pool

Click to enlarge.​This sketch appears to show a nice, clean-cut young man. But what he's suspected of doing was neither nice nor clean. Yesterday, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office says, a man fitting this description tried to grab a fourteen-year-old girl near the Cherry Knolls pool, and ... More >>

Kenny McKinley: Denver Broncos receiver's apparent suicide puts football in perspective

Kenny McKinley.​The subject line of the release sent out by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office a little after 8 p.m. last night reads: "Apparent Suicide Investigation." The name on the form: Kendrick LeJeff McKinley. No mention that the victim, known as Kenny McKinley, was a member of the D ... More >>

Top 10 ways Josh McDaniels has destroyed the Denver Broncos

Josh McDaniels.​Is it fair to blame Coach Josh McDaniels for the Broncos' humiliating 59-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders yesterday? In a word: yes. McDaniels was brought to Denver to revitalize a once-proud franchise. Instead, he's steadily undermined the squad with stupid decisions, poor manag ... More >>

Robert L. Johnson: Bomb scare turns bizarre when body of 80-year-old found in trunk (30)

Larger photo below.​Update: The strange story of Robert L. Johnson keeps getting stranger. We knew that after showing up at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office on a warrant, he prompted a bomb scare before ACSO representatives discovered a dead eighty-something man in the trunk of his Dodge s ... More >>

Candice & Kristin Hermeler: Surveillance video, photos of Australian twins in suicide pact

Kristin Hermeler.​Update: The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has released surveillance footage and photos of Kristin and Candice Hermeler, Australian twins who acted out a suicide pact at the Family Shooting Center; Kristin died, while Candice was gravely wounded but survived. The footage ce ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Arapahoe Sheriff returning hash to patient sets precedent, says Rob Corry

Rob Corry.​Moments from now, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office will return hash it seized from medical marijuana patient Gregory VonAlmen -- and Von Almen's attorney, Rob Corry, believes the decision sets a precedent by establishing that marijuana concentrate and other related products are ... More >>

Are these your stolen family photos & property?: See gallery o' stuff possibly traded for meth

Large photos below.​Last month, Araphaoe County Sheriff's Office reps discovered a storage unit full of presumably stolen items that may have been traded for meth; Ali Samei was busted on drug-related charges. The weird collection ranges from a slot machine to family photos that may show victi ... More >>

Kristin & Candice Hermeler: Suicide-pact twins' Columbine fascination deeper than admitted

Kristin Hermeler​It didn't make much sense that Candice and Kristin Hermeler would travel halfway across the world to enact a suicide pact at a local gun range -- until reports began to surface about the Australian twins' obsession with the Columbine shootings. While police have tried to downp ... More >>

Indecent exposure suspect spotted at Newton Middle School running track: Speed up!

Flickr​A word to those who use the Newton Middle School running track: Go as fast as you can -- or otherwise, you might get an eyeful of an indecent exposure suspect who's reportedly been hanging out there, as well as at several other nearby parks. In this case, speed may save, not kill. Look ... More >>

Michelle Schramm: Evidence against alleged prostitution boss includes bulk condom orders

​The website for Green Garden Spa in Edgewater promises "Total Satisfaction" -- and the U.S. Attorney's Office believes that pledge extended to happy endings. Michelle Schramm, 55, surrendered to authorities following a grand jury indictment accusing her of using Green Garden and two other spa ... More >>

Top 25 most violent fugitives in Denver: A mug shot and offense gallery (PHOTOS)

"I'm only No. 20?"​The Denver Police Department has trimmed its fifty most wanted fugitives list by half but multiplied the mayhem via its roster of the city's 25 most violent fugitives. The mug shots of those who follow first target Robert Juan Gee stand out thanks to the best neck tattoo (No ... More >>

Paintball vandals in Aurora return to scene of the crime, are promptly busted

Not a paintball vandal.​There are several paintball facilities in the Denver area -- more than enough to get your trigger-pulling fix. But after a multiple-night shooting spree by four teens to settle a "beef," maybe it's time to build another.

Pat Sullivan, ex-Arapahoe sheriff, suspected of attempted meth trade for sex (VIDEOS)

Sullivan's mug.​Tough to miss the irony: After his arrest for allegedly trying to trade meth for sex with a male acquaintance, Pat Sullivan was incarcerated in the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility, the jail named for him after a distinguished law enforcement career capped by eighteen ... More >>

Pat Sullivan: Tales of meth for masturbation, gay porn in bust of ex-Arapahoe sheriff (VIDEO)

Sullivan's mug.​Disconnects are common in the Pat Sullivan story -- first due to the contrast between his former image as a nationally recognized Arapahoe County sheriff and allegations that he traded meth for sex, and now as a result of his first court appearance, in which the little old man ... More >>

Ten infamous 2011 crimes with Colorado connections

Big pics below.​And you thought you had a crazy year. Getting jiggy with a student at a Baptist school, driving a scooter without a license in Miami, possessing four grams of cocaine in Aspen, threatening to shoot out a Best Buy in Aurora over a video game and literally getting shit on in Boul ... More >>

Youn Malual: Killers still at large in slaying of Sudanese refugee, father of five (35)

Youn Malual.​Update below: While suspects have either been captured or named in the holiday-season slayings of Andrea Roan and Elia Anastacio, there have been no such developments released in the December 26 murder of Youn Malual. Meanwhile, the extended Sudanese community is continuing to ra ... More >>