The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men on suspicion of burglarizing four homes earlier this week in the Shenandoah subdivision southwest of Durango.
The burglaries likely occurred late Monday or early Tuesday but were not reported until Tuesday afternoon, said Chris Burke, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
“It looks like some of these residences were ransacked, and they’re looking for anything of value that they can pawn, sell or trade,” he said.
The suspects were identified as Tyler James, 36, of Vallecito and Jared Trujillo, 33, of Bayfield.
Burke said the case remains under investigation and there may be additional suspects.
After learning of the burglaries, deputies were patrolling the neighborhood Tuesday night, and at 10:17 p.m. contacted Trujillo, who was seen walking on one of the roads in the subdivision.
“He had no reason to be in the neighborhood, and admitted that,” Burke said.
Deputies ran Trujillo’s identification and found he had several warrants so placed him under arrest, Burke said.
While he was being detained, deputies noticed another man, later identified as James, coming down a road on a motorcycle in the subdivision.
“He acted suspicious, tried to avoid being contacted and deputies conducted a traffic stop,” Burke said. “He ditched the motorcycle and a foot pursuit ensued, and he was also placed into custody.”
The motorcycle he was riding was stolen, Burke said.
Investigators were attempting to interview the suspects Wednesday.
Burke said mail thefts have been reported throughout the county. He didn’t know if the suspects were involved in that activity, but he reminded residents to have their mail held for pickup if they can’t claim packages immediately, and have their mail stopped or picked up by a neighbor if they’re planning to be out of town.
shane@durangoherald.com
