DENVER (KDVR) — Law enforcement is actively searching for a suspect accused of trespassing and burglary connected to three trespassing incidents near Highway 103 in Idaho Springs.
Idaho Springs residents reported three instances of a suspicious person trespassing on private properties near Highway 103 this week, according to the sheriff’s office. On Thursday at about 6 p.m., a vehicle similar to the suspect vehicle was spotted on Highway 103 by a Clear Creek County deputy.
Other units responded and set up a perimeter, and the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect fled in the vehicle before crashing near milepost 3 on Highway 103. The suspect then fled on foot.
A shelter-in-place was established for a one-mile radius from the location. Deputies and officers with the Idaho Springs Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Golden Police Department are assisting in the search. A drone and K-9 are also being used to locate the suspect.
“We are working on the assumption this is the same suspect we posted about earlier, seen in this video, and that he may be armed,” the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
All three reports of the trespasser were filed since Monday, according to the sheriff’s office. The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office shared a video of the suspect holding a firearm, covering his face, hair and hands, and appearing to disable a Nest security camera.
The sheriff’s office says the suspect is described as a Black male who is between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall with a slim build and wearing tactical colors with a tactical belt.
The suspect is associated with a white Ford Escape SUV that has no license plates.
Clear Creek County released a video of this trespassing and burglary suspect after three incidents in one week. (Courtesy the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office) 
Clear Creek County released a video of this trespassing and burglary suspect after three incidents in one week. (Courtesy the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office said that the suspect spoke to one property owner through a surveillance camera and told them he was with the U.S. Forest Service. He then disconnected the camera.
The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office checked with the U.S. Forest Service and were told that the suspect is not one of their employees.
The first two incidents occurred on Monday, Sept. 23, between 4 and 6 p.m. on Peaceful Valley Lane in Idaho Springs. The sheriff’s office said that he was holding a handgun while trespassing at one of the properties.
Clear Creek County released photos of this trespassing and burglary suspect, alongside his vehicle, after three incidents in one week. (Courtesy the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office) 
Clear Creek County released photos of this trespassing and burglary suspect, alongside his vehicle, after three incidents in one week. (Courtesy the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office)
The suspect also allegedly burglarized one of the properties and stole over $2,000 worth of items and also caused $2,000 worth of damage. The sheriff’s office said he wore black gloves while stealing the items.
Then, on Sept. 25, the suspect reportedly trespassed onto a property on Ute Creek Road in Idaho Springs. He was seen on the property loading and cocking a firearm and was there between 9:20 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. During this incident, he was seen wearing tan pants, a long-sleeved sweatshirt with a hood and a black cloth that partially covered his face.
Anyone who sees this suspect is asked to call 911. Law enforcement is warning the public not to attempt to confront him.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
