From the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office:
Shortly after 1:00 pm on August 5, 2024, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office were called to the 2900 Block of Texas Avenue in response to a report of a threat in progress. Neighbors had confronted a man in their neighborhood, accusing him of driving while intoxicated and nearly hitting a child with his car. The man became very agitated and threatened his neighbors with a bat and physical harm for calling 911.
When Deputies arrived to contact 59-year-old Raymond Vara, he shouted at Deputies and retreated inside the residence. Multiple attempts were made to contact him verbally and by phone, and SWAT operators with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to the scene to assist. After several hours of continuing to try to make contact and receiving no response from inside, gas canisters were deployed, and entry was made into the residence. The suspect was no longer inside the residence.
The surrounding area was searched, but the suspect was not located.
The Shelter in Place notification sent to 376 residents was lifted shortly after 8:00 pm.
Deputies continue to try and locate him. Mr. Vara has an active warrant for his arrest.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCHยฎ: https://crimewatch.net/us/co/mesa/sheriff/134177/cases/swat-incident-texas-avenue
Photos by David Torres via Facebook