STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-July 18, 2023-On the morning of Friday, July 7, 2023, the Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD) received a call around 5:30am about an in-progress stolen vehicle on Hillside Drive.
The vehicle owner heard his truck start and witnessed it being driven away. He ran after the truck and was able to catch up to the vehicle and climb onto the bed of the truck. The owner then broke out the back window to get to the suspect, who then fled on foot leaving the vehicle in motion. It struck an electrical box, starting a small fire that was quickly extinguished. The vehicle owner suffered minor injuries during this event. SSPD found items in the truck which did not belong to the victim.
Later in the morning, SSPD received multiple reports of items being stolen from vehicles, a garage, and other residential areas in the neighborhoods along Hilltop Parkway. One item of significance reported stolen were Apple Air Pods, which the owner was able to track to Yampa, Colorado.
Based on that information, a Routt County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) Deputy responded at the request of the SSPD. The deputy observed multiple vehicles parked in general vicinity that the air pods were tracked including a white Dodge truck registered to Glen Shaffer. The truck contained suspected stolen items in the bed, including bicycles.
The Dodge truck was verified in the location of the thefts through surveillance footage. By the time this information was confirmed, the truck was no longer in the area. However, officers were able to continue to track the air pods along Interstate 70 to Grand Junction.
The following day, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) was able to use this information and contacted Glen Shaffer, of Yampa, Colorado, in a Buick SUV which was also registered in his name. Multiple reported stolen items were recovered in the Buick SUV, including a mountain bike and two e-bikes. CSP arrested Shaffer on the charge of Possession of Stolen Property.
SSPD completed an arrest warrant, which was served in Mesa County, for Shaffer for Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Reckless Endangerment, First Degree Criminal Trespass, Second Degree Burglary, and three counts of Theft. He was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
The community should remember to always lock up valuable items, their homes and vehicles as well as never leave keys in a vehicle. SSPD would like to thank the Routt County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol for assistance with this case.
All persons accused of crimes are presumed innocent until and unless their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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Contact
Mark Beckett, Police Chief, 970.879.4344 or email
Rich Brown, Police Commander, 970.879.4344 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email