CLIFTON, CO — Law enforcement officers in Mesa County recovered three stolen firearms and arrested three men in less than 24 hours during a series of traffic stops and proactive patrols in Clifton, according to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday, April 7, at approximately 8:30 p.m. near Coronado Way and E Road. Deputies conducted a traffic stop, during which a narcotics K9 alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search yielded a loaded, stolen firearm and ammunition. The driver, 30-year-old Isaiah Eastman, was arrested on charges including felony theft of a firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine, and multiple traffic violations.
The following morning, at approximately 9:00 a.m. on April 8, deputies and members of the B.A.T.T.L.E. West auto theft task force assisted with a traffic stop near E 1/2 Road and Pimavera Street. A passenger with active warrants, identified as 23-year-old Mikel Smith, fled on foot but was apprehended after a short pursuit involving the deployment of a Taser. Authorities located a loaded, stolen firearm near where Smith fled, as well as a knife on his person. Smith was booked on numerous charges, including felony possession of a weapon by a previous offender, theft of a firearm, and resisting arrest.
Just an hour later, at 10:00 a.m., task force members contacted a vehicle with mismatched plates parked and running near 32 3/8 Road. The driver, 26-year-old Keaton Kurtz, was found asleep at the wheel and appeared to be under the influence. A search of his vehicle uncovered a third loaded, stolen firearm and debit cards belonging to someone else. Kurtz was arrested for felony theft of a firearm, driving under the influence, prohibited use of a firearm, and criminal possession of financial devices.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office credited the successful recoveries to strong interagency partnerships across the county. All three suspects were transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.