Colorado Springs – Two men were arrested Wednesday for their suspected involvement in the homicide of Erwin Hoffman Bermudez , who was killed Friday at a video game exchange store in Colorado Springs.
Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Department arrested Randy Eugene West, 29, and Michael Joseph Bowen, 25, on suspicion of first-degree murder. Both men are from Colorado Springs.
Police said they suspect Bermudez was killed in a robbery attempt.
Additional news briefs:
HERMOSA PARK
Body of a second shot lynx found
For the second time in less than a week, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is reporting that a lynx was shot and killed in southwest Colorado.
The first lynx was found Nov. 1 near San Juan County Road 110 north of Silverton. Investigators believe the animal had probably been dead for a week.
Another lynx was found Nov. 2 in the Hermosa Park area near the Purgatory ski resort.
It had been shot twice by a rifle, once in the hip and once in the head.
If anyone has information regarding these incidents, they are asked to call the DOW office in Durango at 970-375-6744 or Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648. The division is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Seven conservation groups have added $4,500 to the reward, bringing the total to $5,000.
FORT COLLINS
Last of suspects held in assault, robbery
Fort Collins police said Wednesday they had arrested the last of three suspects in the Sept. 24 attack and robbery of 31-year-old Jason O’Donnell.
O’Donnell was walking in the alley of the 600 block of South Mason Street when, police said, two men – allegedly 19-year- old Ka Maluihiaokei Finnegan and 20-year-old Sean Garcia- Strang – assaulted him, shooting him one time in the right hand before stealing his wallet.
Both Finnegan and Garcia- Strang were arrested Oct. 27.
A third man, 24-year-old Cole Swenson, was arrested the evening of the incident, police said in a news release.
Finnegan was charged with aggravated robbery, first-degree assault and possession of a handgun by a previous offender. Garcia-Strang was charged with aggravated robbery and first- degree assault.
Swenson was charged with accessory to aggravated robbery and possession of a handgun by a previous offender. All three suspects are in the Larimer County Detention Center.
DENVER
Nobel winner inspires micro business group
Denver’s Micro Business Development Corp. is celebrating the Nobel Peace Prize given to Muhammad Yunus for his work in lending money to the poor. He has provided 6.6 million people with loans.
MBD credits Yunus as its inspiration in bringing his model to the U.S. MBD has made more than $6 million in micro loans to mostly low-income, minority business owners since it opened 13 years ago.
“The award for Dr. Yunus showcases his courage and generosity of spirit,” said Kersten Hostetter, executive director of MBD. “He is the inspiration for our industry (micro-enterprise) and first showed how small, flexible amounts of business capital for those who have the least access to fair credit can make huge steps in fighting the disease of poverty.”
CHEYENNE
Lawyer named judge in 4th Judicial District
A Sheridan, Wyo., lawyer and University of Wyoming graduate was appointed Wednesday to serve as judge in Wyoming’s 4th Judicial District.
John Fenn, 44, was appointed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal to replace retiring District Judge John Brackley. The district oversees Johnson and Sheridan counties.
“I am very honored with this appointment and look forward to serving the citizens of Sheridan and Johnson counties,” Fenn said.
Fenn previously has served as a magistrate in the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court.
Fenn earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and his law degree from UW, and he also has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
He has worked professionally as an engineer and as an attorney.
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah
Police hope jewelry will lead to killer
Police hope two rings and a necklace missing from a crime scene will catch someone’s eye and lead officers to the killer of a Taylorsville, Utah, woman.
Sonia Mejia, who was six months pregnant, was found dead by her husband at their apartment on the evening of Feb. 9. Mejia, 29, was strangled and sexually assaulted, police said.
Investigators believe her killer took from the scene a ruby ring, a diamond ring and a gold Our Lady of Guadalupe necklace.
Fingerprint analysis and DNA evidence ruled out family members in Mejia’s death.
LAS CRUCES, N.M.
Band director gets probation in sex case
A former Las Cruces High School band director has been sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading guilty to having sex with a student.
New Mexico District Judge Douglas Driggers gave Brian Theodorson, 33, a conditional discharge, which means the charges will be dismissed if he successfully completes probation.
District Attorney Susana Martinez said Theodorson will not be required to register as a sex offender.
Court documents allege Theodorson had sex with a 16-year-old female band student in 2005.
