Durango Police Department announced this week it has identified a “primary suspect” involved in the thefts of bicycles from a downtown parking garage.
Dakota John Ross, 33, remained on the lam as of Tuesday. He apparently fled his residence before a search warrant being executed at his home, according to the police department.
Two stolen bicycles were recovered during the search.
The alleged thefts occurred Dec. 21 at the Mears Apartments in the 500 block of East Second Avenue. Ross is suspected of arriving in a red Jeep with a distinct black hood. He and at least one other suspect are accused of using power tools to cut through bike locks and steal bikes from the parking garage, according to police.
One of those bikes belonged to Christina Rinderle, a local real estate broker and former Durango mayor. She told The Durango Herald it seemed a little “grinchy” to be committing those kinds of thefts before the Christmas holiday.
Following tips from the public, Archuleta County deputies located the red Jeep at Ross’ residence, presumably in Archuleta County, which enabled Durango detectives to obtain a search warrant.
“Ross fled the residence prior to the search and remains at large,” a DPD news release said Tuesday.
The city of Durango did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking an update Thursday.
An arrest warrant has been issued accusing Ross of felony burglary and theft. Detectives are also working to identify a second potential suspect.
Anyone with information on Ross’ whereabouts or the case in general is asked to call police dispatch at 385-2900.
shane@durangoherald.com
