Clifton, CO – Four people were arrested Tuesday after Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant connected to a string of vehicle break-ins concentrated in a two-mile radius of Clifton, according to the agency.
According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies had been investigating six theft-from-auto cases reported between Sunday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 11, 2025. During the investigation, deputies were alerted that a victim’s credit cards were allegedly used at a nearby convenience store. Surveillance footage from that location helped identify a suspect, 37-year-old Elaine Walker of Clifton, authorities said.
Deputies then identified Walker’s residence on the 600 block of 33 Road as a location of interest and secured a search warrant for the property. While serving the warrant around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, investigators allegedly identified a second suspect, 22-year-old Mikel Smith of Grand Junction. Both were taken into custody at the scene.
Deputies say the search also uncovered property reported stolen from multiple vehicles, including a firearm. The investigation ultimately resolved all six theft cases and resulted in the arrests of Walker, Smith, and two additional individuals wanted on outstanding warrants.
Walker allegedly faces charges including two counts of felony identity theft, theft of a firearm, multiple counts of first-degree criminal trespass, attempted criminal trespass, misdemeanor theft, and possession of two or more identification documents.
Smith allegedly faces charges including felony identity theft, two counts of firearm theft, multiple trespass charges, two counts of attempted criminal trespass, misdemeanor theft, and two failure-to-appear warrants.
Two others—34-year-old Ashleigh Holloway of Grand Junction and 43-year-old Damien Martinez of Clifton—were arrested on unrelated warrants.
Deputies thanked local residents and businesses whose surveillance footage assisted the investigation.
There are no further updates at this time.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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