A recent arrest out of the Denver metro area is a reminder of just how aggressively law enforcement pursues Burglary suspects — and how serious the consequences can be. According to FOX31/KDVR, a 48-year-old Denver resident, was arrested after detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office linked him to a string of apartment complex Burglaries in Highlands Ranch. The man was already on parole for a 2018 Burglary conviction that had earned him a 14-year sentence. Now he faces new charges, including a reported Assault on a detective during the arrest.
Cases like this play out across Colorado every week, including right here in Weld County. If you or someone you love has been charged with Burglary in Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Loveland, Longmont, or anywhere else in Weld County, understanding the law, and your rights, is the critical first step.
Greeley Burglary Attorney: How Colorado Defines Burglary
Colorado has three primary degrees of Burglary, and the distinction matters enormously for how your case will be charged and prosecuted.
First Degree Burglary occurs when a person unlawfully enters or remains in a building with the intent to commit a crime inside, and either: (1) is armed with a weapon, or (2) assaults or menaces someone during the commission of the offense. This is a Class 3 felony, carrying 4 to 12 years in prison and fines up to $750,000.
Second Degree Burglary involves unlawfully entering or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a crime, but without the aggravating factors above. Burglary of a dwelling (someone’s home) is a Class 3 felony. Burglary of a non-dwelling structure, like a business or storage unit, is a Class 4 felony, punishable by 2 to 6 years in prison.
Third Degree Burglary involved breaking into a vault, safe, cash register, vending machine, safety deposit box, etc. It is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 120 days in the Larimer County Jail.
Burglary Investigations in Windsor, Weld County
Law enforcement agencies throughout Weld County take Burglary seriously and they are well-resourced to investigate it. The Greeley Police Department, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in cities like Evans, Windsor, Fort Lupton, Johnstown, Milliken, Severance, and Firestone regularly coordinate on Burglary cases, particularly when a suspect is believed to be operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Much like the Douglas County investigation that caught the man above, where detectives from a specialized unit identified him as a serial suspect before executing a search warrant, Weld County investigators often build cases methodically using surveillance footage, physical evidence, digital records, and tips from the public. Search warrants can tie a suspect to multiple incidents at once, resulting in multiple felony counts filed simultaneously.
Being charged in Weld County means your case will be heard at the Weld County Justice Center in Greeley, before a judge in the 19th Judicial District. Prosecutors here have a track record of pursuing significant sentences, especially for repeat offenders or cases involving occupied dwellings.
The Stakes Are High When Charged with Burglary in Weld County: Especially with a Prior Record
The Highlands Ranch case is a stark illustration of what happens when someone with a prior Burglary conviction picks up new charges. The man was already serving parole for a felony Burglary and now faces additional counts, meaning a parole revocation alone could send him back to prison before the new case is even resolved.
In Colorado, prior felony convictions can trigger sentencing enhancements under the habitual criminal statute, which can double or even triple prison terms. Even a first-time Burglary charge, if it involves an occupied home, carries presumptive prison time under Colorado’s sentencing guidelines.
Contact a Weld County Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have been charged with Burglary in Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Fort Lupton, or anywhere in Weld County, do not wait to get legal help. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options you may have — including challenging evidence before charges are even formally filed.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Burglary, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Erik Mclean