Pueblo County Sheriff's Office

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at approximately 12:00 AM, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call stating a man was inside a residence at 8 W. Glenrose Dr. in Pueblo West.  As Sheriff’s Deputies were en-route to the home, the Communications Center advised that a shot had been fired.

Upon arrival, Deputies found Chris Rasberry (32 year old, Colorado Springs resident) in the home with a single gun shot wound to his leg.  Mr. Rasberry was transported to Parkview Medical Center and then to a hospital in Denver for medical treatment.  The injury is not life threatening and his condition is unknown at this time.
The investigation is being handled by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.  There were no signs of forced entry into the home and it is not believed the family knew the man who entered their home.  The investigation is on going.  �
No further information is available at this time.
If anyone has any information about this crime, they are asked to contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (719)542-STOP.
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Note to Media: Please do not contact Detectives, Supervisors or the Communication Center from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office for information concerning this incident. Updates to the case will come from the Public Information Officer or Sheriff’s Office Administration, when available.

On Friday, February 26, 2010 at approximately 2:50 PM, an armed robbery occurred at US Bank located at 1017 Market Plaza Dr. in Pueblo West.
According to reports, a male party in his 30’s or 40’s, dressed in a black leather jacket, black bandana on his head and “wrap around Oakley-type” sun glasses entered the store and went to the bank counter. The man handed the bank clerk a manila envelope and told her to fill it.  A handgun was shown.
No one was injured during this robbery.  The suspect did leave in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money.   Within minutes of the dispatch, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Deputies were on scene, making it secure.  

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Banks are federally insured, so the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be handling the investigation from this point forward.  Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor stated, “We will be working hand and glove with the FBI to solve this case.”   

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The investigation continues.
Anyone with information about this crime, are asked to contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (719)542-STOP.

On Friday, February 26, 2010 at approximately 1:00 PM, an armed robbery occurred at a local store in the 1400 block of Santa Fe Dr. in East Pueblo County.
 According to reports, four men entered the store and brandished what the clerk believed to be a .9 mm handgun.  No one was seriously injured during the altercation.   The men are described as being Hispanic, wearing denim clothes and ball caps.  Three of the males had mustaches and looked to be in their 30’s or mid-30’s.�
The suspects originally left the scene in a burgundy mini-van, which had been parked in a space in front of the store.  The vehicle was located by Deputy Dawn Ballas less than 20 minutes after the incident occurred, just blocks away.  Witnesses there stated four men exited the van and entered a different vehicle, leaving the area again.  The vehicle is described as being a teal or charcoal colored four door Toyota, Camry, with an “OBAMA” sticker on the left, back bumper.
The investigation is being handled by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.  Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, and an investigation into the robbery continues.   

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No further information about this inquiry is available at this time.
Anyone with information about this crime, are asked to contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (719)542-STOP.

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at approximately 10:00 PM, a 33 year old man was taken to St. Mary Corwin Emergency Room by ambulance from the 2400 block of Lake Ave. in Pueblo.
The victim, who is not being identified at this time, had serious bodily injury to his head and was admitted to the hospital for surgery.  His condition is unknown at this time.
The initial investigation was handled by the Pueblo Police Department until it was determined that the assault may have occurred in West Pueblo County.  Detectives from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the hospital, and an investigation into the assault continues.  �
No further information about this inquiry is available at this time.

If anyone has any information about this case or others, they are asked to contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (719)542-STOP.

Note to Media: Please do not contact Detectives or Supervisors from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office for information concerning this incident. Updates to the case will come from the Public Information Officer or Sheriff’s Office Administration, when available.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office along with its partners, The Pueblo Police Department D.A.R.E. Units and the Pueblo City/County Health Department, are coordinating a local effort for D.A.R.E., as part of the nationwide campaign that is underway.  During the week of February 22 - 28, 2010, a nationally coordinated effort will be taking place, “Rx OTC Awareness Week”, to Educate Parents & to help Eradicate Prescription (Rx) and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuse. 

Currently, 1 in 3 teens report having a close friend that uses Rx drugs to get high!
Our teens abuse Rx drugs more than almost all illegal drugs combined!
2,500 kids, ages 12-17, try a painkiller for the first time every day!

D.A.R.E. is coordinating a mass effort nationwide to offer Community Education Presentations along with Prescription (Rx) and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Drop Offs in communities across the nation throughout RX OTC Awareness Week.  Individuals from our community will learn how to “Keep Our Kids S.A.F.E.” and will at the same time be able to bring unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medication in for proper disposal. Proper disposal will reduce the risk of mis-medication, accidental poisoning, theft/drug abuse, and reduce the pollution of our waterways and groundwater caused by flushing.

The Board of County Commissioners along with Pueblo City Council will be issuing a Joint Proclamation at 9:00 AM on Tuesday the 23rd during their statutory board meeting.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is leading the state in this effort by offering seven Community Education Presentations along with Rx/OTC drop offs at the following dates, location and times:

2/23/10  10:00 AM - SRDA 230 N. Union Ave. Rm. 301  

2/23/10  6:00 PM  - Pueblo West Fire Station #3 729 E. Gold Dr.
      7:30 PM  - Ecumenical Church 434 S. Conquistador Dr., Pueblo West

  2/24/10  6:00 PM - McHarg Community Center 405 2nd St., Avondale

  2/25/10  6:00 PM - St. Joseph’s Church Cafeteria, 1145 Aspen Dr., Blende
      6:00 PM - Family Worship Center, 3800 Parker Blvd., Pueblo

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February 2010 marks a decade of service for a special group of volunteers at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.  The PCSO Courier Team is made up of a humble group of men and women who contribute their time and energy to provide a vital and cost saving service to the Sheriff’s Office.

The couriers walk roughly a mile every day and drive several more as they move from the main office, the sub-stations, the communications center, the courts, and more all for the benefit of the tax payer.  With paid staff not having to make those daily “runs” from one spot to another delivering documents and other items, it is estimated that the county has saved 100,000 in payroll costs alone.  In addition, the couriers, most of whom are retirees, are able to get a dose of exercise, feel a sense of accomplishment, and make new friends.

“John Parmenter and his group have streamlined themselves into an amazing asset for us.  They are certainly a special set of people and we are so glad to have them contribute to our success as an agency.” says Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor.

The PCSO Courier Team is in need of volunteers.  Couriers are never asked to handle money or evidence and must be able to work a minimum of 3 hours each week, posses a valid driver’s license, and be able to pass a criminal background check. Couriers are provided a vehicle for use during their route.  Any citizens interested in volunteering for the team can contact Sheri Herrera at 719-583-6200 or visit the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau at 320 W 10th St (basement) or the Pueblo West Substation at 320 Joe Martinez Blvd in Pueblo West.

Starting today, Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor, together with Pueblo Police Chief James Billings Jr., join leadership law enforcement agencies all over America in making available on the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office web site and on the Pueblo Police Department web site, a citizen-friendly, easy to use, combined Pueblo City/County sex offender registry.  This will enable citizens to search for the presence of registered sex offenders and predators in proximity to their homes, place of work, schools and day cares. This information is being provided to the citizens in a form they can easily use, any time, day or night via the nation’s leading sex offender registration and notification solution, OffenderWatch™.
Citizens may enter any address of interest to them, and see a map and listing of offenders within a user defined radius (of .25 miles out to 2 miles) of that address. Then, they may register the address to be continuously monitored by the agency, who will send to them an email alerting them if an offender or predator should register an address within their specified radius of their registered address. Citizens may confidentially register as many addresses as they like, at no cost to them.
The purpose of the program is to lessen the anxiety of citizens by proactively alerting them should an offender/predator move within proximity to them, and to enhance the security and safety of Pueblo citizens. The program also enables the agencies to verify that offender addresses do not violate any safety buffers that may be implemented around protected institutions in the city or county, such as schools, day cares and churches.
Citizens can access the OffenderWatch™ registry 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week at the Pueblo Police Department OffenderWatch® web page http://www.pueblo.us/police or the Pueblo County Sheriff’s web site at http://www.sheriff.co.pueblo.co.us/

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office will be “defending our goal” over the 2010 Super Bowl Weekend of keeping our streets safe by conducting a DUI saturation patrol. 

In 2008 the State of Colorado passed House Bill 1194 which in part requires CDOT to increase the number of episodes of high visibility drunk driving law enforcement and has made funds available to pay for extra DUI patrols.  Super Bowl Weekend was identified by law enforcement as a time period that has historically has had an increased number of DUI incidents. 

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in this enforcement period.  We hope everyone enjoys the game.  Remember to celebrate responsibly and not to drink and drive. Or, you will get sacked in the end zone and charged with a DUI.

Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl Weekend. 

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Today, Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor announced another significant development in the Robert Piserchio homicide.  Robert Piserchio was murdered December 10, 2009.  “Our detectives have located and arrested three women suspected of conspiring to commit robbery and are currently in custody at the Pueblo County Jail.”

On November 30, 2009, Robert Pisercho made a phone report to Pueblo County Sheriff Deputies stating his wallet had been stolen by three women who came to his home asking for help.  In the report given to deputies, it did not indicate that Mr. Piserchio knew the women who came to his door. 

Through the investigation of Aaron Wilkerson, it was determined that the following women were known associates of Wilkerson.  Karen Sue Depierre, 40, Sheena Sann Baker, 45 and Elizabeth Ann Abeyta, 38. 

According to the affidavit, on January 5, 2010, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from Channel 13 regarding the murder that stated one of the women; Karen Depierre was out for revenge.  The news tip stated Robert Piserchio bought items from the woman’s ex-boyfriend, which had been stolen from her.  The news tip stated some of the items included “dope (Meth) and money” and the theft of Robert Piserchio’s wallet in November 2009 was an inventory visit to see what Piserchio had.  It also indicated that she was then “set out” to get people to go “beat-up” Piserchio and take all his dope and money and bring it back to her.

Depierre stated in interviews with detectives that she knew Aaron Wilkerson, having delt Meth to him and received Meth from him.

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All three women have been arrested and are being booking into Pueblo County Jail on the following charges:

Karen Sue Depierre
 C.R.S. 18-3-102 (1)(b) Felony Murder     1F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery  4F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Aggravated Robbery     3F
 C.R.S.  18-4-401 (1) Theft ($33,479.93)(Over $1000.00)   3F
 C.R.S.  18-5-702 (1)(b) Unauthorized Use of a Financial Transaction Device  3F

Depierre is being on $250,000 cash only bond

Sheena Sann Baker
C.R.S.  18-3-102 (1)(b) Felony Murder     1F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery  4F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Aggravated Robbery     3F
 C.R.S.  18-4-401 (1) Theft ($33,479.93)(Over $1000.00)   3F

Baker is being held on a $250,000 cash, surety or property bond

Elizabeth Ann Abeyta
C.R.S.  18-3-102 (1)(b) Felony Murder     1F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery  4F
 C.R.S.  18-4-302 (1)(c) Aggravated Robbery     3F
 C.R.S.  18-4-401 (1) Theft ($33,479.93)(Over $1000.00)   3F
 C.R.S.  18-5-702 (1)(b) Unauthorized Use of a Financial Transaction Device  3F

Abeyta is being held on a $250,000 cash, surety or property bond

The investigation is continuing.  Scientific evidence collected by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Bureau of Investigation is still being analyzed. 

If anyone has any information on this case or the whereabouts of Matthew Barnes, please contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250.  If you would like to remain anonymous, please contact either the Pueblo Crime Stoppers 542-STOP or Colorado Springs Crime Stoppers 634-STOP.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010 Detectives from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office intercepted a call from a female inmate made from the Pueblo County Jail.

The call intercepted was from an inmate to her boyfriend.  The call consisted of a plan between the two parties to place prescription narcotics inside the Division C courtroom where the inmate could retrieve them.  The inmate was scheduled to be sentenced in Division C.

Narcotics detectives contacted the judge and made arrangements to monitor the courtroom.  At approximately 11:00 AM the boyfriend entered the courtroom and was observed by detectives from the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit dropping what were later found to be schedule II narcotics inside the jury box.

The boyfriend, identified as Phil Martinez, 26yo male, was apprehended as he attempted to leave the building, he is being held on the following charges:

Criminal Conspiracy                            18-2-201(1)  6F
Unlawful Distribution/SCH II          18-18-405     4F
Possession of a Scheduled II    18-18-405     4F
Criminal Attempt to Introduce Contraband    18-8-203       4F
2 counts of Restraining Order Violation         18-6-803.5    M

The inmate identified as Felisha Trujillo, 22yo female, is also being held on the following charges:

Criminal Conspiracy                18-2-201(1)  6F
Possession Of a Schedule II Controlled Substance        18-18-405     4F
Introduction of Contraband          18-8-203       4F
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