Denver police waited almost five hours to alert most law-enforcement agencies in Colorado about where suspected cop-killer Raul Garcia-Gomez might be heading, according to KCNC-Channel 4.
The television station reported Wednesday night that early on May 10, police said they had issued an arrest warrant for Garcia- Gomez in connection with the shooting death two days earlier of Denver Detective Donnie Young, who was working off duty at a baptism ceremony.
But the statewide alert for the suspect did not go out until about 8 a.m, some five hours later. Authorities believed he may have been heading to the Los Angeles area, where he has family, Las Vegas or Mexico.
After a manhunt in Los Angeles, police came up empty in their search for Garcia-Gomez. Authorities believe he may now be in his native Mexico.
Police Detective John “Jack” Bishop was working off duty with Young on May 8 and was injured in the shooting.
BOULDER
Woman accused of targeting post office
A 20-year-old woman is accused of attempting to blow up a U.S. Postal Service truck and building in Boulder and threatening to kill a postal inspector, according to federal-court records.
A criminal complaint was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court against Sandy Latoya Hurtado, who is in custody in Boulder on a state charge of arson.
Hurtado reportedly told postal inspectors that she was furious about being prosecuted for stealing change from a stamp machine and was out for revenge.
According to an affidavit, she used Axe body spray and newspapers in an attempt to set fire to a post-office truck in the hope that it would ignite and blow up a nearby postal building.
The affidavit also said she wanted to kill a particular postal inspector.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Trial use of accuser’s past behavior debated
A motions hearing in the court-martial of an Air Force Academy cadet accused of rape began Wednesday with closed- door testimony to help the judge determine whether the alleged victim’s past behavior could be introduced as evidence.
Senior cadet Benjamin Kuster’s court-martial had been scheduled to begin Tuesday but was delayed after Kuster’s attorney said new evidence needed to be examined. Other hearings are expected on motions to delay the trial for an indeterminate period of time and move the proceedings elsewhere.
Kuster is charged with rape and commission of indecent acts. He is accused of raping the woman May 2, 2004, during a cadet field trip to New Mexico.
FORT CARSON
GI in unit coming to Colorado dies in Iraq
Sgt. Antwan L. Walker, 22, of Tampa, Fla., died May 18 in Ramadi, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his camp, military officials said.
He was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, which is relocating to Fort Carson this fall.
It was unclear why Walker’s death was announced nearly a week after he died.
Fifty-seven soldiers have died from the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, which has been based at Camp Greaves, South Korea.
DENVER
Man charged with sex assault on 2 girls
A man accused of fondling two young girls in a swimming pool at Six Flags Elitch Gardens was charged by District Attorney Mitch Morrissey on Wednesday with two felonies, authorities said.
Ismael Armendariz, 23, was charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child, according to a statement. Armendariz is in Denver County Jail on $10,000 bail, and he is scheduled to be advised of the charges Friday.
Armendariz is alleged to have fondled the girls – 11 and 12 – at the amusement park Saturday, authorities said. He was arrested without incident a short time later in a restroom by off-duty Denver police officers working at the park.
INDEPENDENCE PASS
Water damage closes popular scenic route
After opening Colorado 82 over Independence Pass on Tuesday, Colorado Department of Transportation crews were forced to close it a short time later because of water damage.
Transportation officials hope to have the popular mountain pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes open for single-lane, alternating traffic by Friday, the agency said in a release.
The pass will not be opened to two-way traffic until the road is fully repaired and safety is restored. No date had been set for completion of highway repairs as of Wednesday afternoon.
