The Weld County Strike Team — a specialized unit that hunts fugitives and conducts investigations into crime rings — recovered eight stolen vehicles and $140,000 in stolen tools.
The recovered tools and stolen vehicles were traced back to jurisdictions throughout the Denver metro area. These items were found in connection with one case from Estes Park, two from Westminster, two from Firestone, four from Weld County, five from Longmont, two active cases from Denver — one of which includes 11 vehicles stolen from Denver International Airport, according to a post from the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff deputies suspect two individuals — one man and one woman — both of whom have been arrested and are pending charges as the stolen property continues to be connected with other investigations.
The investigation into the stolen vehicles and tools began on Sept. 1 when Weld County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a storage facility east of Longmont. The deputies were there to follow up on an assault case investigation involving the male suspect.
While on the scene, deputies noticed two suspicious vehicles parked near a storage unit that was later discovered to be rent by the two suspects.
Deputies also learned the vehicles — originating from Firestone and Westminster — were stolen. The legal owners of the vehicles told officers that the cars contained tools and other items that did not belong to them, according to the post.
The Strike Team are attempting to return the stolen items to the rightful owners, however, are running into a snag. Some of the tools are marked with only the owner’s initials — making it almost impossible for investigators to identify the owners, according to the post.
The sheriff’s office would like to remind residents take the following steps to prevent and protect themselves from tool theft:
• Take an inventory of your tools, noting the serial numbers for high-ticket items.
• Mark tools with your name, phone number and company logo for easy identification.
• Do not leave tools out in the open at the jobsite or in the bed of your pickup.
• Store tools securely, whether that’s in a storage container at the site or by bringing tools into your garage at the end of the workday.
• If storing tools onsite, be sure to purchase high-quality locks.
• Be wary of your surroundings and report suspicious people and activity by calling 911.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 356-4015 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward.
