Latest news with #LarimerCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
4 people charged in Loveland park incident involving council member Erin Black
Four people were issued a summons for harassment, but not Loveland City Council member Erin Black, after a March park altercation that has led to an effort to recall her. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said in a news release May 30 it concluded its investigation into the case, and the Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office issued summonses for class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor harassment. But Black is not among the people who will be facing criminal charges. The charges stem from a March 29 incident in Loveland's Dwayne Webster Park that involved resident Dillon Kaiser, Black and others who were at the park with her. A video recording publicly posted March 30 by Kaiser showed the two sides arguing with each other for about 10 minutes. In the video, taken by Kaiser, the parties can be seen taunting each other, calling each other names and daring each other to make physical contact. Black can be seen yelling at Kaiser, carrying an umbrella and gesturing toward him with it while standing close to him. After the incident, Loveland City Council members formally asked Black to resign, calling her behavior unacceptable. They said her actions lacked decorum that an elected official should have, undermined public trust and damaged the integrity of the council. She has not resigned, and now a recall effort is underway. The Loveland Police Department asked the sheriff's office to take over the criminal investigation after learning a Loveland council member was involved. The District Attorney's Office, in a social media post, explained why Black was not charged. In a Facebook post, the DA's office said it had multiple video angles of the incident, including some that were not made public. The complete video evidence demonstrated there was no contact between Black and Kaiser, the post said, and "it was reviewed by multiple attorneys who came to the same conclusion." While the allegation of physical contact involving Black did not lead to charges, another allegation did because it was corroborated by video evidence and on-scene statements, the post said. "In Colorado, a criminal charge of harassment must fall into a narrow set of parameters," the post said. In the case of the four people charged, there was actual physical contact and repeated taunts that specifically tried to solicit a physical confrontation or violence, the DA's office says. "Other communications, even if aggressive or confrontational, that don't meet the narrow statutory exceptions, are Constitutionally protected free speech," the post says. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Loveland council member Erin Black isn't charged in park incident
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police make arrest in bank robbery that put nearby high school on secure status
Fort Collins police announced the arrest of a suspect in a May 27 bank robbery that put nearby Rocky Mountain High School on secure status for 15 minutes. The suspect was arrested less than two hours after the robbery at ENT Credit Union, 1107 W. Drake Road, was reported, according to Larimer County Sheriff's Office arrest and jail records. The 21-year-old male was taken into custody on felony charges of aggravated robbery, theft of more than $20,000 and three counts of menacing, Fort Collins police said in a May 29 news release. Credit union staff reported a masked man with a firearm had robbed several employees for an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing on foot, the news release said. Officers responding to the call contacted a male near the credit union who matched the general description of the suspect and took him into custody. Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence, where they 'recovered key evidentiary items,' the news release said. Fort Collins police and the FBI are working jointly on the investigation. The suspect remained in the Larimer County Jail as of 3:30 p.m. May 29. His bond was set at $80,000. His next court appearance was scheduled for June 3. Police are asking anyone with information on the incident who they have not already spoken to contact Detective Al Wilson at 970-416-2923. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@ Follow him on and This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Police make arrest in bank robbery that put school on secure status
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly three years since Loveland man was last seen
DENVER (KDVR) — In just over a week, on May 28, it will be the day that marks three years since a man was last seen in Loveland, according to the man's mother. On May 28, 2022, Jance Wesly Varela 'disappeared without a trace' from Loveland. Jance Varela's mother, Linda Varela Adams, said he is known for his kind heart and gentle nature. His family, friends and community deeply miss him amid his unexplained disappearance. Jance is 6'4″ and 170 pounds, with gray-brown hair and brown, hazel eyes. He has a Pi symbol tattooed on his hand and may be wearing glasses. His family said he may have grown a beard since the time of his disappearance. 'We have the kangaroo detained': Viral kangaroo escapes in Durango (again) His family also said they are concerned because just before his disappearance, Jance was facing a serious medical condition, which has added an extra sense of urgency in the search. His family and friends have not stopped searching but have no leads on his whereabouts. 'I wake up every morning hoping this will be the day Jance comes home,' said Linda in a press release. 'I cry myself to sleep each night because he is still missing. These last three years have been agony for our family, but we will not give up until Jance is home.' Linda said that they want to keep the story in the public eye, as they still hold out hope and will do anything they can to find Jance. Seven digital billboards have been placed around the Denver metro and feature a photo of Jance, as well as key case information. The family is also offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides details that result in the resolution of Jance's disappearance case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Larimer County Sheriff's Office at 970-4898-5140. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
She Survived Cancer 4 Times. Then a Bullet Ended Her Life
Jennifer James was fatally shot inside her Colorado home on April 28 by a stray bullet Authorities have since arrested and charged 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku with her murder James, 49, was a single mother of four who survived breast cancer four times since first being diagnosed at 29. She had been diagnosed with the disease a fifth time when she was killed A cancer survivor and single mother of four is dead after being struck by a stray bullet in her Colorado home last month. Jennifer James, who spent 20 years battling breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 29, died on April 28 after being hit by a stray bullet while sitting inside her home, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. She was 49 years old. Police were alerted to a shooting around 11:20 p.m. local time on April 28. The caller said a female was shot inside her home in Berthoud, Colo., a quiet town located about 50 miles north of Denver. Deputies with the LCSO and a nearby trooper from the Colorado State Patrol rushed to the scene and began applying first aid, but she could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. Others were in the home, but no one else was hurt. Investigators have since named 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku as a suspect after identifying him on surveillance video from nearby homes, KDVR reported, citing an affidavit. He was arrested on May 1 and allegedly confessed to firing the fatal bullet to detectives. He told police he was cleaning the gun in a car when he "accidentally" fired it outside of the driver's side window. He attempted to clear his chamber by firing the gun multiple times, however, he didn't know a live chamber was inside and thought the bullets would have hit a wall, according to KDVR, citing the affidavit. He turned off his lights and drove off to avoid attention, he said, per KDVR. Worku was booked into the Larimer County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder - extreme indifference, and is being held there on a $1.25 million cash-only bond, according to the LCSO. He is scheduled for a disposition hearing on June 6, The LCSO said in its release that it is still investigating. Friends and family are also paying tribute to James and her incredible spirit."Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine. Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known," Juliána King wrote on the GoFundMe she created to help raise money for James' four children. She went on to say: "Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people." Her friends also revealed that James was battling cancer for a fifth time and going through chemotherapy at the time of her death. A celebration of life is planned for James on May 14. Read the original article on People
New York Post
13-05-2025
- New York Post
Single mom who beat cancer 4 times killed by random bullet fired at home
A Colorado single mom who managed to beat cancer four times was tragically killed when a stranger who claimed he was just cleaning his gun fired bullets into her home, cops said. Jennifer James, 49, was fatally shot when 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku allegedly opened fire from his car while parked outside the victim's house in Berthoud, north of Denver, on April 28. The gunman told police that he accidentally shot at the home with his Glock 22 handgun — and then fired again when he was trying to clear the chamber, KDVR reported, citing a police affidavit. Advertisement 4 Cancer survivor Jennifer James, 49, was fatally struck by a random bullet in her home just outside Denver on April 28. Gofundme One of the bullets tore through a window and ended up striking James in the arm and chest, cops said. The mom-of-four managed to call 911 before she collapsed and stopped breathing. First responders attempted first aid but she was pronounced dead on the scene. Advertisement Two of her kids were home at the time of the deadly ordeal, police said. 4 Ebenezer Worku, 20, allegedly opened fire from his car while allegedly trying to clean his gun. Larimer County Sheriff's Office 4 Two of the victim's four children were home when the shooting unfolded, cops said. Gofundme 'It just makes me mad that such a senseless act of violence occurred,' James' oldest daughter, Ashley James, said. Advertisement 'You never think that's going to happen to you.' The slain mom had beaten cancer four times, her family said. 4 The mom-of-four managed to call 911 before she collapsed and stopped breathing. Gofundme 'She was the most selfless mom that anyone could ask for,' Ashley said. 'She kind of devoted her whole life to us kids, so I'll be forever grateful for everything that she did for us.' Advertisement Her alleged killer was nabbed after cops used surveillance footage and license plate reader data to track him down. Worku was charged with first-degree murder. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail and was being held on a $1.25 million cash-only bond.
