Three people have been arrested in connection with a burglary that occurred in Loma on January 25, 2024. The suspects are accused of stealing various items from a residence and a vehicle, and fleeing from law enforcement.
The burglary incident
According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a home on 13 Road in Loma around 10:30 p.m. on Monday. The homeowner told deputies that he saw three people inside his house, and that they had taken his keys, wallet, phone, and other items. He also said that they had driven away in his truck, which was parked outside.
Deputies located the stolen truck on Highway 139 near Douglas Pass, and attempted to stop it. However, the driver refused to pull over, and led deputies on a pursuit that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. The chase ended when the truck crashed into a ditch near Rangely, and the three suspects fled on foot.
The arrest of the suspects
Deputies, with the assistance of the Colorado State Patrol and the Rangely Police Department, set up a perimeter and searched for the suspects. They also deployed a K-9 unit and a drone to aid in the search. After several hours, all three suspects were located and taken into custody.
The suspects have been identified as James Smith, 32, Sarah Jones, 28, and Michael Brown, 25. They are facing multiple charges, including burglary, theft, eluding, reckless driving, criminal mischief, and possession of a controlled substance. They are currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility.
The investigation and recovery of stolen items
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the burglary and the pursuit. Deputies have recovered some of the stolen items from the truck, including the homeowner’s phone, wallet, and keys. They have also found several other items that are believed to have been stolen from other locations, such as tools, electronics, and jewelry.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who may have been a victim of a burglary or theft in the Loma area to contact them at 970-244-3500. They are also asking anyone who may have witnessed the pursuit or the crash to provide any information or video footage that they may have.
