by Eric Mullens
WALSENBURG — Walsenburg police have few clues to go on in the June 1, 2016 burglary of the Louis Vezzani home on CO Hwy 10 and I-25.
WPD Chief Tommie McLallen, who is leading the investigation, told the World Journal Monday that fingerprint evidence collected from the home has been sent to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation office in Pueblo, but it could be between two and eight weeks before any results are known.
Chief McLallen said his office is still looking into the ownership of a dark blue colored SUV seen in surveillance video entering the property near the time the crime is believed to have occurred. But with that said, Chief McLallen admitted the vehicle could be wholly unconnected with the crime, and may have left the property in a different way than it entered.
He said this week that he has not gotten a complete inventory of items suspected to have been stolen, and said authorities may never know exactly what was taken as the victims themselves are not sure.
It is believed a suspect entered the home under false pretenses and made off with a small size safe, approximately 12” X 18 “ and its contents.
Chief McLallen said the statewide notification regarding the theft is somewhat generic, but pawn shops statewide have been alerted to look for anyone from the Walsenburg area pawning any jewelry.
Jewelry, including a wedding ring set, silver dollar coins, and cash, estimated by the victims to be around $100,000 was stolen in the daylight incident.
Anyone with information regarding the crime is urged to contact the Walsenburg Police Department at 719-738-1056 or the Huerfano County Emergency Communications Center at their non-emergency number, 719-738-1044.
