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2 'Fugitives' Wanted In Crime Ring Involving Escaped Inmate

ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Arvada say two women believed to have a role in a car theft ring that dates back to 2014 are fugitives.

Nicki Lee Blea, 33, and Danielle Marie Sanchez, 35, are wanted for their part with Travis Sandlin, the only person to ever escape from the Jefferson County Jail.

Danielle Marie Sanchez, Nicki Lee Blea
Danielle Marie Sanchez, left, and Nicki Lee Blea, right (credit: Arvada Police)

Sandlin was arrested in 2014 and slipped through a gap in fencing before going on a two week spree stealing cars and personal items before being recaptured outside of Boulder.

"Mr. Sandlin was the focus of a very extensive and involved investigation related to his escape from the Jeffco Jail and the crime spree he was involved in at that time," said First Judicial District Attorney Pete Weir.

Travis Sandlin
Travis Sandlin (credit: Jefferson County)

Sandlin was in jail for his involvement for stealing cars. He's been sentenced to 72 years in prison for those crimes and the escape episode.

But investigators didn't stop looking into Sandlin and his associates.

It's alleged Sandlin, a man named Ernesto Garcia and four other people were involved in a ring where cars were stolen or broken into between May and July 2014. Investigators believe Sandlin did most of the work but would hand over stolen cars, credit cards and personal items to his friends.

"Obviously we were very interested in all the activity Mr. Sandlin was involved in. And it was important we did our best for the community to identify crimes that we think are associated with Mr. Sandlin," Weir said. "Mr. Sandlin was stealing cars, breaking into cars, stealing the identities of citizens then defrauding those citizens. We have in excess of 20 victims and more than 20 cars that were stolen."

Sandlin is already in custody. So are Garcia, Edward Sais, and Krystal Sandlin, Travis' sister.

Over the past year prosecutors have presented evidence to a grand jury, which indicted the six people in early July.

"It ranges for one count for one individual and several counts for other individuals," Weir said. "It's been an ongoing investigation. As you can imagine given the number of victims and the types of crimes alleged, it's a fairly extensive investigation."

"Anyone with any information as to their whereabouts or who may recognize the suspects is asked to call Detective Johnson at 720.898.6746 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP," an Arvada Police Department press release said.

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