Police Hunt for Suspects in Colorado Ski Town Accused of Stealing High-End Items

The Winter Heist: Thieves Targeting Colorado Mountain Towns

VAIL, Colo. — Each winter, Colorado’s picturesque mountain towns transform into bustling hubs of activity, attracting millions of visitors eager to hit the slopes and enjoy the local culture. However, this seasonal influx also brings a darker element, as two thieves have made a habit of targeting businesses in these idyllic locations. Their audacious thefts have raised alarms among local law enforcement and business owners alike.

The Return of the Thieves

The duo was first spotted in mid-January 2023, when they executed a well-planned heist at a wine store in Vail Village. Detective Robert Genno of the Vail Police Department reported, "These two offenders first hit a wine store in Vail Village. We were able to also connect them to a Louis Vuitton store in Aspen, where they committed theft there, as well." Their initial haul included extremely rare and expensive wine, totaling $6,500 from Grappa Fine Wines.

The thieves didn’t stop there; they also targeted the luxury Louis Vuitton store in Aspen, making off with two bags valued at an astonishing $13,000. Their method was simple yet effective: one thief would distract the store employees while the other swiftly executed the theft.

A Year Later: The Thieves Strike Again

Fast forward to mid-January 2024, and the thieves returned to Vail, continuing their spree of high-end thefts. "They hit Moncler, which is a higher-end ski apparel store," Genno noted. Shortly after, they were linked to another wine theft in Frisco, Colorado. The clothing stolen from Moncler was valued at $6,500, adding to their growing list of crimes.

The pattern of their crimes has left local business owners on high alert. Dave Lasaitis, the general manager of Basecamp Wine & Spirits in Frisco, expressed his concerns: "There’s definitely a lot of us looking for them." Basecamp Wine & Spirits suffered a significant loss when the thieves made off with the same type of rare wine, Screaming Eagle Cabernet, that had been stolen from Grappa Wines the previous year. These bottles typically retail for around $3,000 each.

The Impact on Local Businesses

The impact of these thefts extends beyond the immediate financial losses. Lasaitis recalled the day of the theft: "Our compressor was down in our jewel case, so the doors were unlocked. And these fellas came in and definitely knew what they were doing." The loss was not just monetary; it was a blow to the morale of a locally owned business that relies on high-end products for its profit margins. "It takes weeks to make up something like that, so it’s very detrimental to our business," he lamented.

As of now, the total amount stolen over the past two years has reached approximately $29,000. Genno emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "Those are felony theft charges. There’s also concealment charges. So we definitely have felony acts against these two individuals."

A Call for Vigilance

Local authorities are determined to prevent a third consecutive year of thefts. They suspect that the thieves may be out-of-town visitors, which raises the possibility that they could be targeting other locations as well. "That’s probably pretty likely that if they’re doing it here, then they’d be doing it in other places," Genno said. The police are actively seeking assistance from the public to identify the suspects. "Try and get their picture out there, get their information, and hopefully somebody reaches out to us with something."

If anyone has information regarding these thefts, they are encouraged to contact Detective Genno at [email protected] or call 970-479-2201, referencing case numbers 2023-000099 or 2024-000110.

Conclusion

As the winter season continues, the stakes are high for both local businesses and law enforcement. The picturesque charm of Vail and its surrounding towns is marred by the shadow of theft, but with community vigilance and cooperation, there is hope for a safer environment. The story of these thieves serves as a reminder that even in the most beautiful places, caution and awareness are essential.