GRAND JUNCTION, CO — The Grand Junction Police Department arrested two individuals on Sunday following two separate and unrelated domestic violence investigations.
Below is a summary of the weekend’s arrests:
Man Arrested Following Assault on Platte River Drive
On Sunday, July 26, at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers responded to an assault in progress in the 3100 block of Platte River Drive. Investigators determined that a verbal dispute between Gary Kiefer, 47, and a female known to him had escalated when Kiefer allegedly assaulted and strangled the victim in the presence of a juvenile.
A warrant was issued for Kiefer’s arrest. He was later contacted, taken into custody, and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility. He faces charges of Second-Degree Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Bodily Injury by Strangulation, Felony Menacing, and Third-Degree Assault.
Multiple Responses Lead to Arrest at Horizon Drive Hotel
Later that same morning, at approximately 8:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of Horizon Drive regarding a continuing domestic dispute. Officers had previously responded to the same room on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning for verbal arguments, but were unable to establish probable cause for criminal charges during those initial visits.
During the 8:40 a.m. response, officers determined the ongoing dispute had escalated into a physical altercation. The suspect, Joseph Kilwein, 55, allegedly assaulted and strangled the female victim. When the victim attempted to leave or contact law enforcement, Kilwein reportedly threatened to kill her dog.
Kilwein was taken into custody without incident based on the available evidence. He was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges of Habitual Domestic Violence Offender, Third-Degree Assault, False Imprisonment, and Intimidating a Witness or Victim.
Help is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, dial 911. To learn more about recognizing the signs of domestic abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website at thehotline.org.