The Colorado Springs Gazette

Family of hit-and-run victim offers reward

Questions still surround a March 1 hit-and-run that left a 30-year-old man in critical condition. And as that man, Anthony Jafari, remains unconscious at Memorial Hospital, Jennifer Jafari and her family are offering a $10,000 reward for help finding the culprit. Jennifer Jafari, who says she is Anthony's sister, held back tears and showed a...
Man confesses to multiple thefts

A 21-year-old man confessed to several crimes Friday night after police found him with dozens of illegally purchased items. Alexander Lugenbeel was arrested and taken to the El Paso County jail shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday. He is being held on suspicion of six felony counts. According to Colorado Springs police, officers approached...
Man killed, teen wounded in shooting in Colorado Springs

A man was killed and a 15-year old girl was wounded during a shooting Saturday morning. Colorado Springs police responded to a report that shots had been fired at an apartment complex at 960 Chapman Dr. shortly before 1:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they found a deceased male and a teenage girl with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. No suspect...
Police seek man who exposed self to teen girl

Fountain police are looking for a man that exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl Friday afternoon. The girl was walking near Fortman Avenue and Franconia Drive, near Fountain Mesa Road, when a man in newer model, silver sedan pulled up next to her, police said. The man's pants were dropped to his knees and he was rubbing his exposed genitals,...
Payday loan shop robbed at gunpoint

A man with a gun robbed a pay day loans business just before 8 p.m. Friday, Colorado Springs police said. The man demanded cash from an employee at Advance America, near Academy Boulevard and Galley Road, and then left the business on foot.
Nozolino guilty on all counts, sentenced to life without chance of parole

With a placid expression reflecting little outward emotion, Bruce J. Nozolino on Friday was convicted of all 31 counts against him, including first-degree murder, in a decade-spanning series of sniper attacks that jurors linked to a bitter divorce. Presiding Judge Victor I. Reyes proceeded directly to sentencing, handing down a life sentence...
Man jailed in Colorado Springs chase allegedly tried to escape in fire station after crash

A man was arrested late Thursday morning after allegedly speeding away from police, crashing and then fleeing on foot through a nearby fire station, Colorado Springs police said. Police said John Krulik, 27, was clocked driving 61 mph in a 36 mph zone near the intersection of Centennial Boulevard and Wickes Road in northwest Colorado Springs....
Opening statements begin in Army general's sex trial

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — With the Pentagon under increased scrutiny over revelations of rampant rape and sexual misconduct within the ranks, opening statements began Friday in a rare court-martial of an Army general — believed to be the most senior member of the U.S. military to face trial on sex assault charges. Prosecutors will make their...
Parents arrested in August death of baby

The parents of a 5-month-old that died from child abuse were arrested Thursday with the help of the SWAT team, Colorado Springs police said. Nicholas Manuel Lucero, 21, and Elizabeth Elishah Lopez, 20were accused of placing their baby in a closet shelving unit to sleep and placing pillows in front of the shelf to muffle the sound of crying,...
Last of 4 inmates recaptured after Tuesday escape

LA JUNTA — Authorities say the last of four inmates has been recaptured two days after they escaped from the Otero County jail by overpowering guards. Sheriff Chris Johnson says 23-year-old Angel Castrejon was found in a house in La Junta Thursday afternoon. Johnson says Castrejon surrendered peacefully when La Junta Police Chief Todd...
Deliberations in Colorado Springs sniper-shooting case to enter fourth day on Friday

Jurors at the revenge-shooting trial of Bruce J. Nozolino completed their third day of deliberations Thursday without reaching a verdict. The six-man, six-woman panel is expected to return Friday morning to resume deliberating. Nozolino, 52, is charged in a 2008 murder and three earlier shootings that authorities tie to a contentious...
Accused rapist dead of apparent suicide in Denver

DENVER — A Denver District Court judge has declared a mistrial in a serial rape case after the defendant was found dead. The Denver District Attorney's Office says 48-year-old William Costello was found dead at the bottom of a multi-story parking garage Thursday. The medical examiner has not determined his cause and manner of death....
Nozolino trial: Jury to resume deliberations Thursday in Colorado Springs sniper-shootings case

Jurors deliberating the fate of sniper-suspect Bruce J. Nozolino were released Wednesday evening after their second day of deliberations. The six-woman, six-man panel is expected to resume deliberations on Thursday morning. The jury began deliberating about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Nozolino, 52, is a former defense contractor accused in a 2008...
Edward Montour to plead guilty, avoid death penalty

CASTLE ROCK — An inmate being tried for the second time for the 2002 killing of a Colorado prison guard will plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence. Edward Montour's lawyer, David Lane, told The Denver Post (http://bit.ly/1hPcuUm ) Thursday that prosecutors offered to drop the death penalty in exchange for a guilty plea....
Police arrest man after girlfriend jumps out of moving car in Colorado Springs

A woman jumped out of a moving car Tuesday afternoon after her boyfriend allegedly threatened her with a gun and shot at her as she ran, Colorado Springs police said. Police said the two were driving in the 600 block of North Murray Boulevard, behind a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market south of Galley Road, when the alleged assault occurred....
Clerk foils Colorado Springs liquor store robbery attempt

Two armed men attempted to rob a liquor store near Nevada Avenue and Fillmore Street Wednesday night, Colorado Springs police said. According to police, the clerk at Bob’s Liquor Store, located at 3519 N El Paso St., fired several shots at the robbers, who fled the store. Officers are actively looking for the men and have not...
Man with gun arrested at Time Warner building

A man with a gun led officers on a foot chase Wednesday around the Time Warner cable building at 2221 E. Bijou St. before reaching into his pocket, pulling out his weapon and tossing it into a bush on, police said. Colorado Springs police said 24-year-old Jack Colton was arrested and booked into the El Paso County jail on suspicion of weapons...
Mom, dad, daughter accused in $7M shoplift spree

CHICAGO (AP) — A father, mother and daughter from a posh Chicago suburb stole $7 million in merchandise during a decadelong shoplifting spree — traveling to stores nationwide and targeting dolls, toys, cosmetics and other valuable — according to a federal complaint released Wednesday. The three were arrested earlier this week at their...
Four Otero County Jail inmates escape, 3 caught

LA JUNTA — A manhunt across southeastern Colorado that involved the Colorado National Guard and dozens of law enforcement officers has resulted in the recapture of three of four inmates who had escaped from the Otero County Jail by overpowering guards and dashing to freedom in a rail yard, a sheriff's official said Wednesday. Otero Counter...
Police: Traffic stop related to officer shooting in Loveland

LOVELAND — Loveland police say they've made a traffic stop related to their investigation into the shooting of an officer, but they declined to release any details. One person was arrested after the stop Wednesday, but it was for warrants unrelated to the shooting of officer Garret Osilka (oh-SIL'-kuh). On Tuesday, 23-year-old Cody Alan...