A man who is a “person of interest” in a Denver double homicide escaped Friday from the Adams County Jail by using another inmate’s identification, authorities say.
Steven Mathew Rodriguez, 32, is also wanted on a Commerce City sexual-assault charge and a parole violation, said Sgt. Louis Dixon III, spokesman for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 4 a.m. Friday, Rodriguez used the identification card of a fellow inmate who was scheduled to be released on bond to escape, Dixon said.
“We definitely have to look at why this gentleman was released in the first place and why they didn’t look closer at his identification,” Dixon said.
An arrest warrant for escape, forgery and criminal impersonation was issued Friday.
Authorities would not release the name of the inmate whose identification was used in the escape.
“We believe it’s possible he was intimidated,” Dixon said.
Rodriguez is a person of interest in a double homicide that occurred Halloween night at 2091 S. King Street, said John White, Denver police spokesman.
“We believe he can assist us in the investigation of this case,” White said.
He did not say why Rodriguez may be of help in the investigation.
In the homicide case, an argument broke out during a large Halloween party in which numerous young people were drinking, police say.
Shots were exchanged during the argument, and three men, two of them 22 and one of them 23, were shot, according to Denver police. White said he does not know the names of the men who were killed.
Rodriguez was charged with sexual assault Jan. 1 in Commerce City. That case is pending.
He also has convictions for arson, burglary and domestic violence.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
