Investigations Division
Lt. Rick Spencer
The Investigations Division is headed by Lieutenant Rick Spencer.
He is assisted by Investigator Mike Cotant.
Investigator Mike Cotant
Investigator Cotant is also responsible for the registration of all sex offenders in the Sheriff's Office area of jurisdiction (Statute # 29-4002) In addition, Mr. Cotant serves as the Regional Coordinator for Region # 1 (panhandle counties) of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (NeLEIN.)
For informational purposes, there are 77 sex offenders, 16 parolees and 474 probationers living in Scotts Bluff County during the month of July.
The division is responsible for conducting criminal investigations ranging from fraud to homicide. They assist the Patrol Division and other agencies upon request.
STATISTICS:
During the month of December, Investigators were assigned a total of eight (8) reports for follow-up investigations. Four (4) reports were crimes against property, one (1) identity hearings, one (1) death, one (1) fraud and one (1) crimes against person.
The personnel within our Criminal Division spent the majority of their time with administrative details (105.25 hours), Burglary/Theft (40.50 hours), Evidence Processing (39.50 hours) and Other (10.25 hours).
Regarding criminal activity, Criminal/All other (20.75 hours), and Forgery/Fraud (5.00 hours).
Investigators responded to (1) crime scene(s) and conducted (0) search warrants and/or consents to search. Investigators made 117 personal contacts for the month.
ADDITIONAL NUMBERS:
Total loss due to burglary/theft July 2008= $54,753
Total loss due to burglary/theft July 2009 = $16,586
(69.70% decrease)
Total recovery from burglary/theft July 2008 = $31,000
Total recovery from burglary/theft July 2009 = $0
(0% increase)
MAJOR CASES:
On December 9, 2009 Jerry Rolfe, equipment manager of Heggem Construction reported the burglaries and theft of property from Heggem Construction located at 200368 City Route Rd. in Scottsbluff, NE. Mr. Rolfe stated that he and Ty Gall had completed an inventory of the tools and equipment at Heggem Construction. Mr Rolfe had an inventory list of missing items that can not be located. The list of items includes several large pieces of equipment and tools. No suspects were named. The items that are unaccounted for are valued at about $210,500.00.
On December 22, 2009 a complaint from the Department of Health and Human Services, Project Harmony was received. The complaint stated that a fifteen year old female had been examined at a physician's office and they reported the female was pregnant. The father of the child was at the exam and he was identified. It was later discovered that the male was twenty-three years old. The male SAMUEL VASQUEZ, was to be interviewed on December 23, 2009 but did not show up for the appointment. No further contact with Vasquez has been made.
If you have any information about this or
any other crime please call
the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office
at
436-6667.