Two people have been arrested in connection with an apparent attempt to steal items from unlocked vehicles, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The pair were identified as Terry L. Smith, 22, and Ashley M. Black, 18.
They were arrested around 2 a.m. today.
The arrests followed a report that two people were pulling door handles on vehicles in the 5700 block of South Hannibal Way.
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Walker drove to the area and found a pickup truck with its cab dome light on. At that moment a black Saturn sedan accelerated by him.
A short time later, the Saturn was found abandoned. But two suspects were spotted crouching nearby with one of them holding the keys to the Saturn.
Inside the Saturn, investigators found cameras, bags and GPS devices.
The sheriff’s office said that Black admitted that she and Smith were looking for unlocked cars and planned to steal items from the cars. She also allegedly admitted that she had been in the pickup truck where the dome light was on. But she said she had taken no items from the truck, said the sheriff’s office.
However, investigators said Black admitted to taking property from a vehicle in Aurora. Among the items found in the Saturn was a digital camera allegedly taken during the theft in Aurora.
The other items in the Saturn, which authorities believe were stolen, have been confiscated.
Black and Smith were taken to the Arapahoe County Detention Facility where they are being held for investigation of criminal trespass.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
