Cars Stolen In Small Mountain Town Along Highway 24
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Updated: 10:57 PM Aug 17, 2009
Cars Stolen In Small Mountain Town Along Highway 24
A crime hits several small towns. Thieves target areas along Ute Pass.
Posted: 9:02 PM Aug 17, 2009
Reporter: Lauri Martin
Email Address: lmartin@kktv.com
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In Green Mountain Falls, the population is just more than 1,000 and the center of town is just a block long. It's pretty quiet in those parts. "The only crime is when we have a bear in the trash can," says Justin Bryden.

But on Monday morning, he and his wife, Mandy Campbell got a rude awakening. “The cars aren't here," Campbell says. Her daughter noticed the two family cars, an Isuzu Trooper and a Ford F150, were gone out of the driveway.

“We never once locked our doors or our cars," notes Campbell. “It’s Green Mountain Falls.”

"I had an '01 Ford F150. I had all my tools for work in the back of it. It's my livelihood," says Bryden, who works as a contract carpenter.

The couple says they didn't hear a thing. “Our window is right next to where our cars were parked," says Campbell.

The crooks didn’t stop at the couple’s home. The thieves also stole a car from Cascade. They broke into a handful of other cars in Chipita Park and Crystola.

“We moved out of the city, so this wouldn't happen. I guess it doesn't matter where you live," says Campbell, who stands in her empty driveway.

The last time a car was stolen in Green Mountain Falls was more than five years ago.

Bryden's wallet was also in his stolen truck. Cops say they found his license and debit card in another car that had been broken into down the pass.

The Green Mountain Falls Marshal tells 11 News since the crooks targeted so many areas, he believes someone may have seen something. If you know anything, you can remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP.


Latest Comments

Posted by: told you so Location: Colo Springs on Aug 18, 2009 at 09:50 AM

This was very wide spread and also included burglary of homes, here is the problem, there is a Marshall for the small town of GMF but everything around that is covered by the Sheriff's Office. The daily number of Deputies on the road is on average 7 for the entire county, so guess what area does not get coverage? Yes this area because the Sheriff's Office does not get the proper funding to protect the citizens. They asked for a 1% tax increase and the community said NO, I told you before and I'll say it again, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you dont pay for protection dont complain when you become the victim. I bet these two homeowners will think twice the next time Terry Maketa tells them he needs their help.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Anonymous on Aug 18, 2009 at 07:30 AM

complacency will get you every time. You leave your car doors unlocked then you might as well leave the keys in the ignition for them.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Janet Location: C/S on Aug 18, 2009 at 01:08 AM

These sort of things can happen anywhere, I mean really how often is it in news stories that the victim says something like 'Never thought it would happen here.' You should always lock your cars and home, keep valuables safe. An unfortunate lesson for the people in this little town.
[ Report Abuse ]
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