Woman Stabbed Multiple Times In Wheat Ridge, Search For Stolen Pickup, Person Of Interest
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Wheat Ridge are searching for three people after a woman was stabbed multiple times Thursday morning. Officers have identified the person of interest in the stabbing as Andrew Howton. They also continue to search for two men who are possible witnesses.
According to police, officers responded to the Howard Johnson Hotel located at 12100 West 44th Avenue just before 7 a.m. and found a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds to the neck and face.
"The woman was outside of the hotel this morning when she flagged down a citizen in the area of the TA Truck Stop on West 44th Avenue," police said in a statement. "The citizen then called Wheat Ridge Police."
The woman was rushed to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. Her condition is unknown.
There isn't a good description of a suspect, only that a man wearing dark clothing was seen leaving the area.
Howton, the person of interest, was seen in surveillance photos wearing a baseball cap with lettering on it, a dark hooded sweatshirt with a large graphic on the front and a dark jacket.
Howton, 43, was carrying a large bag and smoking a cigarette as he left the hotel. He was seen checking into the Howard Johnson on Wednesday.
Police describe the first possible witness as a male wearing a dark western-style hat with a hatband, dark coat, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.
A second possible witness is described as a male with dark hair, wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a large graphic on the front and writing and/or graphics on the sleeve.
Police said a report of a stolen 2007 Nissan Frontier just before 7:30 p.m. could be related to the stabbing. The pickup was stolen in the area of West 44th Avenue and Tabor Street. It has multiple stickers in the windows and scrap metal in the bed of the truck.
"Shortly after the woman flagged down the citizen and we got the call on the stabbing, the vehicle was stolen from the area of West 44th and Tabor so there is a possible connection," said Wheat Ridge Police spokesman Maureen Harper.
Anyone who spots the pickup, the person of interest or either possible witness is asked to call 911.
Police are also concerned about the well being of Christopher Sloan of Westminster. Sloan is asked to contact Westminster police as soon as possible.
Anyone who knows Howton's location or Sloan's location is asked to call the Wheat Ridge Tip Line at 303.235.2947.