INVESTIGATORS WITH THE MESA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAY THAT A GRAND JUNCTION TEEN IS FACING CHARGES RELATED TO A GUN AND AMMUNITION HEIST IN THE TOWN OF LOMA LAST WINTER.
18-YEAR-OLD STEVEN TYLER COOK IS ACCUSED OF USING A TORCH TO BREAK INTO A GUN SAFE AND STEAL NEARLY $17,000 WORTH OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION BACK IN FEBRUARY. THE SAFE WAS LOCATED IN AN OUTBUILDING NEAR A HOME IN LOMA, AND COOK ALLEGEDLY CONSPIRED WITH 18-YEAR-OLD MACADE GARY BRONSON AND A JUVENILE WHO LIVED AT THE HOME TO CARRY OUT THE THEFT. ON TOP OF THE ROBBERY ITSELF, OFFICIALS SAY THAT COOK AND BRONSON ALSO STOLE CHEMICALS FROM FRUITA MONUMENT HIGH SCHOOL TO OPERATE THE TORCH.
COOK APPEARED IN MESA COUNTY COURT ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS CHARGED WITH THEFT FROM AN AT-RISK ADULT, SECOND DEGREE BURGLARY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND CONSPIRACY. MESA COUNTY COURT JUDGE CRAIG HENDERSON ORDERED COOK HELD ON A $5,000 CASH-ONLY BOND.
