A man suspected of animal abuse has been arrested in connection with a 2½-week burglary spree, according to the Durango Police Department.
Jonah Barrett-Lesko, 25, is suspected of stealing six bicycles with a total value of $13,000, breaking into a parked car and shoplifting from stores, all between the dates of about June 19 to July 7, said Durango police Sgt. Bobby Taylor.
Barrett-Lesko was first arrested June 28 on suspicion of having sexual intercourse with a horse June 17 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. La Plata County Judge Anne Woods issued him a personal recognizance bond, meaning he didn’t have to pay anything to be released on the animal cruelty charge, according to court records.
The first burglary incident took place June 19 or June 20 in the 2200 block of Forest Avenue, where a mountain bike valued at $5,800 was stolen. A resident reported leaving his garage door open on two occasions.
About the same time, and in the same neighborhood, a $900 Trek road bike was stolen from a garage in the 2300 block of Forest Avenue. In that case, a resident also reported leaving the garage open, according to an arrest affidavit.
On July 6 or 7, four bikes were stolen from an open garage in the 1200 block of East Fourth Avenue with a total value of $6,250, Taylor said.
He also is suspected of stealing three bikes in the 900 block of Trans Lux Drive, near the movie theater, but the investigation is pending, Taylor said.
At least five bikes have been recovered, he said.
On July 8, Barrett-Lesko is suspected of stealing a large printer, several ink cartridges and more than 150 food items from Nature’s Oasis, 300 South Camino del Rio, according to an arrest affidavit. Police reviewed surveillance footage from the store and identified Barrett-Lesko as a suspect.
On July 9, police responded to a report of shoplifting at Walmart, where Barrett-Lesko was placed under arrest.
He is also suspected of breaking into a car June 30 in the west 200 block of Ninth Street to steal a hat and miscellaneous documents, Taylor said. He caused about $1,500 in damage to the car, according to Taylor and court records.
After his arrest in the burglary case, Barrett-Lesko denied having anything to do with the home burglaries or shoplifting at Nature’s Oasis, according to the affidavit. He also told police he earns money by “getting and selling information.” He said he noticed a house that had several bicycles, and he “sold” that information to someone.
He also lamented that if he had listened to his girlfriend they would have been on their way to Alaska, his home state, according to the report. The arresting officer reminded Barrett-Lesko he has an active criminal case involving animal cruelty, possession of burglary tools and DUI in La Plata County.
“I believe that Barrett-Lesko is a flight risk from prosecution,” the officer wrote in her affidavit for arrest.
He was being held Thursday at the La Plata County Jail on $1,500 bail.
shane@durangoherald.com
