Investigators Explore Links To Similar Crimes In Northern Colorado
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- Detectives from several Northern Colorado law enforcement agencies are comparing notes, trying to find out if a series of crimes last week could be connected.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Fort Collins Police, and police in Greeley, all agencies with on-going police impersonation and burglary cases from last Wednesday, want to know if the cases may be linked.
Police say two or three unidentified suspects entered a home on Foothills Drive in unincorporated Larimer County Wednesday morning, claiming to be police officers. Larimer County Sheriff's spokesman David Moore says the suspects showed fake badges and a weapon to get into the home but when the homeowner asked to see the identification again they would not show it and left.
About two hours later in Greeley, police say a man was shot and killed by residents inside a home after they claim he was breaking in.
That evening in Fort Collins, a homeowner reported that a man told her he was a cop. Detectives say that homeowner had only moments earlier been the victim of a burglary in her home, so she did not question the man who came to her home claiming to be a police officer.
Police say the man was dressed in civilian clothes, asked the woman questions about the burglary and even took a fake police report.
"Anytime there is a similar offense, our investigators will reach out, see if it matches our case, but so far went can't say for certain these are all linked or not," said Moore.
Moore says if a person comes to your door claiming to be with the police, it is perfectly reasonable to request identification and to call dispatch to verify the person is who they claim to be.
If you have any information about these police impersonation cases call the Larimer County Sheriff's Office at 970 416 1985
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.
