Wheat Ridge Police Department

08/31/2026

08/27/2026

Overall crime continues to trend downward as we progress through the summer here in Wheat Ridge.

Our commitment to sharing monthly activity wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our Crime Analyst and our Administrative Program Coordinator who put this report together.

Here’s what we can report through July 2026.

We break up our crimes into two main buckets: persons and property crimes. The following grid shows our cases for each of those crimes with a breakdown over the past five months. The bottom row shows the total number of cases for those crimes per month.

Persons crimes hit levels we typically see in July, as we traditionally see more crime reported in the summer months. It’s encouraging to see property crimes compared to a typical July came in extremely low. The year-to-date (YTD) activity level compares where we are through the year compared to that same time frame averaged over the past five years. Calls for persons crimes rose roughly 13% in July compared to the same time frame in 2025. Calls for property crimes were down 17%.

We’re seeing encouraging drops in calls for crimes including burglary (down 34%), motor vehicle theft (down 50%) and 1st-degree criminal trespass (down 55%).

We recognize an increase in reports of sexual assault within our community this year. Our department is committed to supporting survivors by ensuring they have direct access to the specialized care, resources and paths to safety they deserve.

To ensure comprehensive support, we partner closely with Victim Outreach Incorporated (VOI), whose advocates provide critical resources and ensure survivors never have to navigate the system alone. Additionally, we connect individuals with the vital, specialized services available at The Family Tree and PorchLight, A Family Justice Center.

You are not alone, and our priority is your safety, autonomy, and well-being.

We can’t solve crimes we don’t know about. If you see something, say something and call 911. Thank you for caring about our community as much as we do, so we can continue to make Wheat Ridge one of the safest communities in Colorado.

08/26/2026

CASE UPDATE: On April 4, 2026, Wheat Ridge Police officers responded to a single-car crash on I-70 westbound at Garrison St. around 4:51 a.m. The vehicle, carrying three occupants, struck the median after witnesses described the vehicle swerving out of control. The driver, a 48-year-old man, died at the scene.

Following a thorough investigation by the Wheat Ridge Police Crash and Traffic Team, Marissa Prescott, 40, the passenger, has been charged by the First Judicial DA's Office of Colorado with one count of Manslaughter (F4) and one count of Child Abuse (M1) related to the minor in the backseat, following allegations that her actions caused the crash.

This matter is now pending prosecution, so no further details will be released at this time. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

08/25/2026

Dear Colorado weather,

Thank you for giving our officers a quick pick-me-up in between calls yesterday.

-WRPD

08/24/2026

⚠️ CDOT TRAVEL ALERT | I-70 at Kipling Street Closures in Wheat Ridge in September

Two extended weekend closures are coming to I-70 at Kipling Street (Exit 267) in September 2026 as crews complete bridge repairs.

📲 Text I70REPAIRS to 21000 to sign up for project text alerts

During the closures, I-70 traffic will be routed through the Kipling Street Interchange using the on- and off-ramps before returning to the interstate. Expect detours and delays of 30 minutes or longer and plan for extra travel time.

📅 Traffic Impacts:
• Westbound I-70 - 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22
• Eastbound I-70 - 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29

Stay informed. Stay ahead.
📲 Text I70REPAIRS to 21000
🌐 More info: codot.gov/projects/i70kiplinggarrisonbridge
🚗 Current road conditions: COtrip.org

08/22/2026

FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION: Wheat Ridge police officers were dispatched to the Highway 58 EB flyover to I-70 just before 10:30 p.m. on Friday, August 21, for a fatal motorcycle crash. The sole rider did not survive, and no other vehicles were involved. Our preliminary investigation indicates alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The rider was not wearing a helmet. According to our partners at Colorado Department of Transportation, almost half (49%) of all motorcyclists killed over the last five years in Colorado were not wearing a helmet. You can find more information on motorcycle safety here: https://tinyurl.com/2z3e5ujf

A segment of Youngfield St. and the Highway 58 flyover were shut down for hours as our Crash and Traffic Team investigated, until the scene was released around 3:30 a.m. this morning.

08/21/2026

UPDATE: This suspect has been identified. Thank you for sharing and for your attention to this matter.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS SUSPECT?

He is accused and wanted for assaulting another customer in line at King Soopers on January 13, 2026 while conducting a DoorDash transaction. He is approximately 20-30 years of age with blonde/reddish hair, blue eyes and roughly six feet tall. He left the DoorDash groceries behind after the assault.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call our partners at Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. You can leave an anonymous tip and earn up to $2,000 for information that develops a lead for an arrest.

Thank you for sharing 🙏

08/19/2026

Back to school (in more than one way) 👮 🏫

Our School Resource Officers (SROs) were excited to greet students from Wheat Ridge High School and Everitt Middle School back to class for their first day.

We are also pleased to announce Officer D. Jumpe, a Wheat Ridge native and WRHS Alumni, is officially starting his rotation as our newest SRO! Officer Jumpe joined Wheat Ridge PD in part because of the relationship and impression he had with our School Resource Officer when he was in high school.

We love a good full-circle story. We hope everyone has a great and safe start to the school year!

08/18/2026

At the Aug. 10 city council meeting, Mayor Korey Stites, Wheat Ridge City Council, and Chief Murtha recognized the retirement of Officer Allan Fischer after 24 years of dedicated service to the Wheat Ridge community.

Officer Fischer spent his entire career on patrol, serving as a steady and reliable presence in the community. Throughout his career, he demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and commitment to public safety, earning the respect and gratitude of his fellow officers and the community he served.

Please join us in thanking Officer Fischer for his 24 years of service and wishing him all the best in a well-deserved retirement!

08/17/2026

UPDATE: The roadway is back open. Thank you for your patience!

INCIDENT ALERT: W 44th Avenue from Dover Street to Everett Street is closed in both directions due to an e-bike crash. The e-bike and rider left the scene prior to police arrival but the battery remained on scene and caused a fire. It’s now a hazmat incident. Please use alternate routes.