Month: March 2021

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and the Denver Police Department need your help identifying two individuals who displayed weapons when they robbed the FirstBank located at 8901 East Hampden Avenue, Denver, Colorado, at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

The first individual is described as a Black male, 25 to 40 years old, and 5’7” tall with a medium build. He was wearing a black hoodie with a Reebok logo on the front, black and red gloves, and blue jeans.

The second individual is described as a Black male, approximately 20 years old, and 5’5” tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black hoodie, and gray/blue jeans.

Please be on the lookout for anyone matching the description of the suspects. Be aware of anyone similar who might have recently changed their spending habits or discussed coming into money suddenly.

Bank robbery is punishable up to a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime. The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Denver Division—Durango Resident Agency (RA) is seeking the public’s assistance regarding the disappearance and murder of Mr. Avery Whiteskunk. He was last seen by family members on January 30, 2004, in Towaoc, Colorado. The next day, the family filed a missing person’s report with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On March 19, 2004, Mr. Whiteskunk’s body was recovered on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, and an autopsy determined the cause of his death was homicide.

This case was prioritized for renewed investigation in response to the November 2019 launch of the National Strategy to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons by the United States Department of Justice. FBI Denver—Durango RA investigators reviewed several cold case missing persons and homicides on the two reservations in southwest Colorado and determined Mr. Whiteskunk’s murder is a potentially solvable case, so we are seeking the community’s support in providing new investigative leads.

“The FBI vigorously investigates violent crimes that affect tribal communities. We are committed to protecting all communities we serve, helping victims, and ensuring that justice is met for violent criminal offenders. We hope that sharing the Seeking Information poster with neighboring communities in the Four Corners area will encourage those with information to come forward to help solve this crime and bring closure to Mr. Whiteskunk’s family.”

The FBI is disseminating the attached Seeking Information poster with Mr. Whiteskunk’s photo and description in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah in hopes of gathering new information to bring closure to Mr. Whiteskunk’s family as well as the community. The poster is also available online: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/avery-whiteskunk.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the murder of Avery Whiteskunk.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Denver Division – Durango Resident Agency (RA) is seeking the public’s assistance regarding the disappearance and murder of Mr. Odell Vest. He was last seen on approximately July 10-11, 2000, in a residence in Towaoc, Colorado, where a house party was taking place.

This case was prioritized for renewed investigation in response to the November 2019 launch of the National Strategy to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons by the United States Department of Justice. FBI Denver – Durango RA investigators reviewed several cold case missing persons and homicides on the two reservations in southwest Colorado and determined Mr. Vest’s murder is a potentially solvable case, so we are seeking the community’s support in providing new investigative leads.

“FBI agents assigned to offices near tribal land are committed to ensuring the community’s safety and security in and around the reservation,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “Our success relies on collaboration with our tribal law enforcement agencies, and the community providing valuable tips. The publication of the Seeking Information poster provides the opportunity to remind the community of our commitment to solve this crime and bring closure to Mr. Vest’s family.”

The FBI is disseminating the attached Seeking Information poster with Mr. Vest’s photo and description in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah in hopes of gathering new information to bring closure to Mr. Vest’s family as well as the community. The poster is also available online: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/odell-vest.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the murder of Odell Vest.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and the Lakewood Police Department need your help identifying an individual who robbed the FirstBank located at 1940 South Kipling Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado, at approximately 4:52 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian or Hispanic male in his mid-20s to mid-30s, and approximately 5’3” to 5’6” tall with a medium build. The suspect was wearing a dark baseball cap, a gray neck gaiter as a face mask, a blue and gray plaid shirt, khaki pants, and dark-colored shoes.

Please be on the lookout for anyone matching the suspect’s description. Be aware of anyone similar who might have recently changed their spending habits or discussed coming into money suddenly.

Bank robbery is punishable up to a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime. The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

New Currencies Require the Same Caution

Vallese noted that as the value of certain cryptocurrencies has soared, more people are looking to invest in them. “It’s definitely somewhere people want to be,” he said. “But where there is potential for earning, there is potential for risk and loss.”

While no one can guarantee any investment will retain or gain value, where an investor chooses to hold that investment should have strong protections in place to guard against cyber intrusions and thefts.

“When deciding where to put money, make an informed decision,” Vallese said. “Do your due diligence. Understand if they are a well-established, trusted exchange.” Some important questions to ask are: Where is the exchange located? What kind of security practices are used? What kind of monitoring and regulations are in place?

The FBI is working with a wide array of government and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad to identify and address new cyber threats. The private sector is a key partner in helping gather and share information. And, of course, being aware of cyber threats and taking proper cyber security precautions is the responsibility of every individual.

Even if the investment is a novel one, apply the same rigor as you would with any other financial choice. And as with any online interaction, carefully weigh the possible risks before opening any email, clicking on a link, opening an attachment, or downloading an application.