City of Colorado Springs News

Stabbing Arrest

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

On Friday, November 13, 2009, officers were dispatched to 1123 Server Drive in reference to a medical call to assist the Colorado Springs Fire Department. When officers arrived, they discovered a 72 year old male suffering from two stab wounds to the chest. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. The suspect, a 49 year old female identified as Janet Hilton, was taken into custody and transported to the Sand Creek Division for further investigation. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Janet Hilton, age 49, has been arrested and charged with Attempted 1^st Degree Murder. She has been booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

No further information will be released at this time, as this is an active investigation.

Note to Media: Please do not call or contact Detectives or Supervisors from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit for further details in this case. All updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.

Photo of Janet Hilton

"Puffer" Detail aimed at reducing Motor Vehicle Thefts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Friday, November 13, 2009 10:45 AM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

The Colorado Springs Police Department "Puffer" detail is designed to eliminate the temptation of motor vehicle thefts of cars left running or when the keys are left in the car. In December 2008 CSPD handed out 311 warning packets during Puffer Week. All of these were distributed during the early morning hours when it's as easy as spotting the exhaust coming from a vehicle; hence the term "puffer". That's what the bad guys do, and it's easy to see these vehicles all over town. When Officers or Detectives place the warnings on drivers' windshields, the hope is to emphasize that their car could easily have been taken in the same time it took to place the warning on the car. Additionally, it is ILLEGAL in Colorado Springs to leave an unattended vehicle running per City Ordinance 10.11.103: UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE: Although the CSPD does not currently cite drivers, it's important to convey that they could be charged.

During the cold season from November 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, 405 automobiles were stolen in Colorado Springs. A total of 134 were stolen with the use of the vehicle keys, or nearly 33% of the total Motor Vehicle Thefts. Of those, 33 were cars left running and unattended while warming up (even when locked) or when the vehicle was parked in front of a convenience store, ATM, or a similar business. The other 53 vehicles were stolen because the keys were left in the vehicle, often in those "clever" places like under a mat, above the visor, or simply in the center console or glove box.

So far this year, total Motor Vehicle Thefts are down nearly 13% overall. Over the past few years the CSPD has experienced a decline of approximately 30% in auto thefts involving vehicles left running during cold weather. Although it is difficult to measure, much of this success may be attributed to increased awareness through a vigilant public education program, and other initiatives such as the Watch Your Car Program and the VIN Etching Program.

The puffer detail efforts are funded by the CATPA (Colorado Automobile Theft Prevention Authority) grant and the efforts will continue this winter by the Southern Colorado Reduced Auto Theft Task Force.

For further information about this and other motor vehicle theft city-wide efforts, please contact Detective Owen Scott at (719) 444-7234 or Lt. Jane Anderson (719) 444-7522.

Keep your car safe, and follow a simple rule: Lock and Pocket your Keys!!

Attempted Murder Suspect Located

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

*Update*

Shortly after releasing the following information in a previous news release, Jesse Lee Kaizen was arrested without incident by Colorado Springs Police Officers. He has been booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on the charge of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, and is being held without bond. Kaizen is the father of the victim in this case. The victim?s mother, Amanda Simms, 23, was also arrested in this case earlier on November 11^th, 2009. She was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on the charge of Attempted First Degree Murder, and is being held without bond.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the public?s help in locating a suspect wanted for Attempted First Degree Murder.

In July of 2009, a 9 month old female was admitted to Memorial Hospital with extensive injuries. The child survived the injuries, but the suspicious nature of the injuries was brought to the attention of the Colorado Springs Police Department. Detectives began an investigation into the cause of the injuries, and after a four month investigation, Detectives with the Crimes Against Children Unit have obtained an arrest warrant charging a suspect with Attempted First Degree Murder in this case.

The suspect in this case is Jesse Lee Kaizen (aka Jesse Lee Carabajal, Jesse Carabajal Kaizen), a white male, 23 years old, 5?11?, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Kaizen may be driving a primer grey 1977 Ford F150 pickup truck with a possible Colorado license plate of 189UBR. Kaizen may be staying with friends in the Colorado Springs area, and he may be armed. Kaizen may be dangerous, and members of the public should not attempt to contact Kaizen directly, but should call police if he is located.

Anyone with information on Kaizen?s location is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000, or Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP if they would like to remain anonymous.

Note to Media: Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation, further details are not available at this time. Members of the media should not attempt to contact Detectives or Supervisors of the Violent Crimes/Crimes Against Children Unit for information on this case. Any further information will come from the Public Affairs Section.

Attempt to Locate Attempted Murder Suspect

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Tuesday, November 11, 2009 9:00 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the public?s help in locating a suspect wanted for Attempted First Degree Murder.

Anyone with information on Kaizen?s location is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000, or Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP if they would like to remain anonymous.

Photo of Jesse Lee Kaizen

CSPD Airport K-9 Unit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:30 AM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

In 2005, the Colorado Springs Police Department in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Airport and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) developed an Airport K-9 Unit pilot program to enhance local law enforcement?s capability to detect suspected explosive devices at the airport. With the approval of a cooperative agreement in 2005 between the airport and the TSA, the TSA provides the airport with a partial reimbursement for the cost of the team through the National Explosives Detection Canine Training Program (NEDCTP). In 2005, three officers were sent to TSA?s 10 week Explosive Detection Canine Handler course at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The officers were teamed up with canines and had to pass a demanding certification process to meet program requirements. Since the initial certification, three fully trained and certified Explosive Detection Canine Teams have been assigned to the Colorado Springs Airport. These very effective, mobile teams can quickly locate and identify dangerous materials that may present a threat to the transportation system. Just as important, they can quickly rule out the presence of dangerous materials in unattended packages, structures or vehicles, allowing the free and efficient flow of transportation with minimal disruption. The CSPD teams also respond when requested to Bomb Threats/Incidents in the Southern Colorado Region.

The teams train and work with multiple EOD K-9 teams throughout the Front Range, to include Denver Police Department and the US Armed Forces at Peterson Air Force Base and the US Air Force Academy. The three K-9 Officers on the team work within a unit of 23 CSPD personnel that are assigned to and funded by the airport.

These handlers and their K-9?s are available for interviews, demonstrations, and other related feature stories. For more information, please contact Sgt. Matt Harrell at 719.550.1978.

K-9 Teams and History:

Officer Mike Anderson:

Colorado Springs Police Department since 1992 (18 years).

Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since January 2005.

K-9 Cezar:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany October 2002

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2004

Colorado Springs Police Department since March 2005

Officer Wayne Strader:

Colorado Springs Police Department since 2001 (8 years)

Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since March 2005.

K-9 Rex:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany February 2002

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2004

Colorado Springs Police Department since May 2005

Officer Clint Schumm:

- Colorado Springs Police Department since 1996 (13 years)

- Explosive Detection K-9 Handler since December 2007

K-9 Grisa:

Male German Shepherd Born in Germany November 2005

Lackland Air Force Base TSA Basic Training 2006

Colorado Springs Police Department since December 2007

CSPD seeking assistance in Shooting Investigation

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 4:35PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

Detectives from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit are seeking assistance in locating the suspect believed to be responsible for the Halloween shooting at 501 S. Tejon Street on November 1, 2009 at around 12:48AM. Bob Maiava, Age 29, who remains at a local hospital in serious condition, was shot by an unidentified male who fired into a crowd of people that had just left SODO Nightclub at 527 S Tejon St. The suspect and an associate may have been involved in a disturbance with the victim?s group at SODO prior to the shooting.

The shooter is described as a Black male, medium to dark complexion, approximately 6? to 6?3?, 21-29 years old with a lean to muscular build with a short ?dread-locks? style haircut. He was wearing a white colored T-shirt at the time of the shooting, but was wearing a dark colored button-down shirt while at club. The attached composite drawing of the shooter was created from interviews conducted with numerous witnesses.

The associate with the shooter is described as a black male, approximately 6? tall and shorter than shooter, 21-29 years old with a stocky build and an ?afro? style hair cut.

A possible vehicle that may be associated with the suspect(s) is a red 4 door car.

Investigators are additionally interested in speaking with any person that patronized establishments in the area during the evening of the shooting, particularly the SODO nightclub.

If anyone has information regarding this crime, please contact Detective Mike Happ at (719) 444-7673, the Colorado Springs Police Department at 444-7000, or you may remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward by contacting the Pike Peak Area Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP (7867).

Note to Media: Please do not call or contact Detectives or Supervisors from the Violent Crimes/Homicide Unit for further information concerning this release. Updates will come from the Public Affairs Section when available.

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Robbery Suspect Captured

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Friday, October 30, 2009 12:05 PM [RELEASE AT WILL]:

On October 30, 2009 at 9:54AM, patrol officers from the Gold Hills Division responded to the Wells Fargo Bank at 90 S. Cascade Avenue on the report of a Robbery in progress. A description of the suspect was provided to responding officers, along with information that the suspect had fled through the front doors of the business with some cash from the bank. No weapon was produced or threatened by the suspect during the course of the robbery, and there were 8 employees and 3 customers in the bank at the time of the incident.

Officers arrived at 9:59AM, and found a male party that fit the description of the suspect in front of the business. He was taken into custody without incident, and it was later determined that this 47 year old male was in fact the suspect in the robbery. In addition to fully fitting the description given, an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered from the male.

He will be taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where he will be booked for Robbery. The name and photo of the suspect will not be released at this time, as additional investigation is still on-going.

No injuries were reported during the crime.

Note to Media: Please do not contact members of the Violent Crimes/Robbery Unit for information concerning this investigation. Any further information about this incident will be released by the Public Affairs Unit, when available. Additionally, any identified individuals that have been charged with a crime, and the circumstances surrounding their arrests are allegations, and those persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.