Whether the Aspen Police Department can identify and charge offenders in a recent parking-meter scam will depend heavily on information from the banks that issued the debit cards used to fleece the system.
Aspen’s parking meters, which were replaced in November for $600,000, were susceptible to a scam where drivers used maxed-out debit cards to gain access to free parking. The city estimates lost revenue between $600,000 and $800,000 since 2010.
Police have compiled a list of debit cards that registered the most declined transactions between September 2013 and November 2014, with the No. 1 card racking up $7,035 in unpaid parking and 177 cards each posting amounts greater than $1,000. Police spokeswoman Blair Weyer said confidence is “neutral” on the potential for charges.
Investigators have to determine whether any personal information can be linked to the cards, many of which were prepaid.
Robber realizes Santa is watching
LONGMONT — An anonymous and apparently repentant thief returned two inflatable front-yard Christmas decorations to a Longmont family over the weekend, claiming to have captured a new lease on the concept of holiday spirit.
“I am verry, verry (sic) sorry for being such a bad person,” the thief wrote, in a letter taped to the decorations placed overnight at the family’s front door.
“I would never want to ruin your Christmas spirit. Please forgive me and know I have spoken with Santa and told him about your amazing spirit and sticking up for him and Cupid. They appreciate it.”
After discovering last week that they’d been robbed, the Priest family posted a sign in their yard asking the thief to return the goods, if for no other reason than: “You made our kids very sad!”
The returned booty included a smiling Santa and a poker-faced reindeer. Santa and the reindeer were deflated, but unharmed, upon return, Priest reported.
Encana working on noise issues at site
ERIE — Encana Oil & Gas announced it will cease operations at the Pratt well site in Erie until noise issues with the current rig can be resolved. Residents in the area had complained recently that noise was causing them to lose sleep.
Encana said it would consult with state regulators, which confirmed noise levels there were above state-mandated levels.
Encana also announced that a rig that was to begin operations at the Waste Connections site in Erie in late December will be moved to a different location.
