Rayah Chowen, who faces charges of theft and delinquency of a minor, failed to appear Tuesday in court in Cortez because she was in the La Plata County Jail, where she had two arrest warrants.
Chowen is being held for alleged identity theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and theft of $300 to $1,000. At the time of her arrest, she had two warrants in La Plata County.
According to Chowen’s attorney, the plan is for Chowen to go to 90-day inpatient treatment. Because Chowen was in jail in Durango, Montezuma County Judge JenniLynn Lawrence waived a warrant for her failure to appear and asked if Chowen could appear on video next time.
Chowen is set to appear in the 22nd Judicial District on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.
Chowen was arrested May 7 at the National 9 Inn after reports of thefts from two vehicles. Missing items included a Chanel wallet, two bank cards, a debit card, SMI1 child-support card, cash and insurance cards.
Officer Vance Carver retrieved security footage from the Dollar General store, where the stolen debit card had reportedly been used. Footage showed that the woman who used the card, and her tattoos identified her as Chowen.
Before her arrest at the hotel, Chowen allegedly used the card at the Dollar General, Maverik Gas Station and LivWell. Police also contacted Hibbett Sports, High View Smoke Shop, Cloud 970 Vapor and Dairy Queen.
Police discovered Chowen at the National 9 Inn after police spotted a vehicle that seemed to match one in surveillance footage. Chowen, a man named Dillon McCarthy and the minor who allegedly stole the missing items were arrested.
In the hotel room, officers found drug paraphernalia and substances thought to include meth, mushrooms, fentanyl and marijuana. Carver said it was unclear who owned them.
Hunter Griswold, who was reportedly dating the minor, was arrested later.
Griswold’s disposition hearing is Oct. 24 at 10 a.m.
