A Denver convict is still on the lam, but his family members – including his 76-year-old grandmother – are in jail for what police say was their assistance in the escape.
Rufina Archuleta, 76, Theresa Archuleta, 51, and Amadeo Archuleta, 52, have been charged with two counts each of aiding escape and conspiracy to escape for allegedly helping Carlos Romero, 31, said Denver District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
“Helping someone escape is a very serious offense,” Kimbrough said Tuesday. “All three had telephone conversations with Romero,” leading to the escape.
If convicted, they each could face a dozen years in jail. They remain in custody, each on a $100,000 bond, according to Denver sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Frank Gale.
Romero, who has not been captured, was serving a prison term for drug possession and auto theft, Kimbrough said. He had been transferred to the Denver County Jail recently to face racketeering and 24 other felony charges including 11 counts of motor-vehicle theft, according to Kimbrough and Colorado Bureau of Investigation records.
On Thursday, Romero was taken to Denver Health Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries he suffered in an earlier escape attempt, and he fled, Kimbrough said.
Romero has a lengthy criminal record that includes 10 arrests on fugitive charges dating back to 2001 and numerous assault, drug-dealing and theft charges dating back to 1994, according to CBI records.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
