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WALDO CANYON FIRE: Number of homes burglarized reaches 42

Colorado Springs police have confirmed burglaries in 42 homes and 43 cars of people who were evacuated during the Waldo Canyon fire.

Those numbers are up from the last burglary report given by police on July 11, when 37 home burglaries and 28 car break-ins were confirmed. The first crime statistics were collected from June 23, the day the fire started, until July 4.

The crimes generated outrage in the community and inspired an anonymous donation of $50,000 as reward for anyone with information about burglaries. Thus far two people, Belinda Wells-Yates, 38, and Shane Garrett, 36, were arrested on June 28 on suspicion of burglarizing one evacuee’s home.

Wells-Yates and Garrett were charged on July 11, and could face enhanced penalties due to multiple counts alleging that they are “habitual offenders.”

Police did not say if the burglaries were concentrated in any particular neighborhood.

There have been no reports of vandalism to the police, however, in June some homeowners in the Pinon Valley neighborhood told The Gazette that their homes were burglarized as well as heavily vandalized while they were evacuated.

Thieves overturned book cases while trashing Debbie and Brian Vitulli's house in Pinon Valley while the family was evacuated during the Waldo Canyon fire. Photo by BOB STEPHENS/The Gazette
Thieves overturned book cases while trashing Debbie and Brian Vitulli’s house in Pinon Valley while the family was evacuated during the Waldo Canyon fire. Photo by BOB STEPHENS/The Gazette
A vehicle belonging to a Waldo Canyon fire evacuee was broken into while the owner was staying at an area hotel during the fire. Photo by WAYNE HEILMAN/The Gazette
A vehicle belonging to a Waldo Canyon fire evacuee was broken into while the owner was staying at an area hotel during the fire. Photo by WAYNE HEILMAN/The Gazette


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