Four men and a juvenile have been charged with criminal mischief and theft for damaging or stealing 10 self-service pay boxes at Larimer County recreational areas, authorities said today.
The pay boxes were located at Boyd Lake State Park, Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake, which are managed by the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said damage to the parks and pay boxes is more than $13,000.
Although the boxes were either vandalized or removed, little money was taken from the boxes because park rangers empty them several times a week, said Eloise Campanella, spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office.
The break-ins and thefts occurred between March 18 and March 25.
Eric J. Hahn, 18, and Rick Barraza, 20, were charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief and third-degree burglary. A juvenile, who was not identified, was charged with criminal mischief and one count of theft. The charges are related to the theft of and damage to nine pay boxes.
A 10th pay box was allegedly taken by Christopher Hoffman, 19, and Kyle Lombardi, 19, on March 30. Both were charged with third-degree burglary and misdemeanor theft.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
