A man has been arrested on suspicion of breaking into the Southwest Center for Independence in Durango. In addition to burglary, he is suspected of causing minor damage to the offices and possibly contaminating the place with methamphetamine.
The nonprofit, which serves residents with physical and intellectual disabilities, has been closed this week so it can be thoroughly cleaned and tested for methamphetamine residue, said Executive Director Martha Mason.
The burglary occurred late Saturday or early Sunday in the 3400 block of Main Avenue.
Christopher Prewitt, 36, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of burglary, said Cmdr. Ray Shupe with the Durango Police Department. Prewitt was found in the area of Walgreens on north Main Avenue with a cellphone reportedly stolen from the nonprofit, according to police. He admitted to breaking in to the nonprofit, Shupe said.
During the break-in, Prewitt is suspected of damaging a screen door, taking apart old cellphones slated for recycling, leaving behind blood splatters and possibly using methamphetamine, Mason said.
The center staff is concerned he left behind methamphetamine residue, she said.
Members of Alcoholics Anonymous, who were attending a meeting in the same building as the burglary, reported the break-in after they saw a man crawling out of one of the nonprofit’s windows, Shupe said.
Shupe was unsure if Prewitt remained in jail Thursday.
The Colorado State Board of Health advised closing the office until it can be tested for methamphetamine and cleaned to prevent anyone from becoming sick, Mason said.
Results of the testing will determine when the office can reopen.
If no meth residue is found, the nonprofit may reopen Oct. 7. If specialty cleaning is required, it is unknown how long it might take for the office to reopen, Mason said.
In the meantime, the nonprofit’s staff is working from home or at other locations, such as The Plata Family Centers Coalition and Community Connections, she said.
“They are doing a great job making it business as usual with our consumers,” she said.
Some of the nonprofit’s groups have been canceled or have found other venues. The nonprofit’s transportation program, Southwest Rides, remains operating.
A full list of the contact information for Southwest Center’s staff can be found at swindependence.org/staff-and-board.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
This story has been corrected to reflect that the Colorado State Board of Health advised the Southwest Center for Independence to close its building, not San Juan Basin Public Health. The health department also did not provide office space to the Center for Independence.
