Justin Lamb, 29, formerly a resident of Chaffee County but currently serving a prison term in Canon City, has been charged with several additional felonies resulting from a lengthy investigation into the thefts of several motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) earlier this year.  The reported value of the stolen goods was just over $29,000. 

The thefts, reported over a period of about a week last April, occurred in the Salida and Poncha Springs area.  Six persons reported break-ins and thefts of cargo trailers, motorcycles, ATVs, and other items during that period.  One of the ATVs was later recovered from an Englewood pawn shop by detectives in that city.  Further investigation identified a suspect named WilliamVersteeg as the person who pawned the vehicle.  Lamb was found to be an associate of Versteeg, leading investigators to focus on Lamb as a suspect in the thefts.  Another stolen motorcycle was recovered by Englewood police in a “chop shop” operation linked to both Versteeg and Lamb.       

On April 9 as the investigation progressed, a Buena Vista police officer spotted Lamb inside City Market.  As the officer approached Lamb on an unrelated matter, Lamb ran to a car in the parking lot and sped off.  A pursuit ensued but was terminated by the officer due to the risk it posed to other motorists.  Five days later the vehicle was discovered abandoned on CR 191, not far from Lamb’s residence at the time.  It had been reported stolen earlier in the week and inside was a pair of motorcyclist’s goggles stolen during the trailer break-ins and thefts.  Found nearby were several items that had been reported stolen during the episode, including a motorcycle helmet and riding boots.

Lamb’s whereabouts were not known at the time.  Then, on May 1^st, a Parker police officer stopped a car on South Parker Road at about 1:30am.  After the driver was found to have multiple driving restraints, he was placed in custody.  A male was then discovered hiding under some material in the back seat.  After a brief scuffle with the officer, the man, later identified as Justin Lamb, got into the driver’s seat and attempted to drive off.  The officer, standing outside the vehicle, attempted to grab the keys and turn off the ignition but was pinned to the side of the car and dragged several yards until the vehicle rolled down an embankment and stopped.  Lamb then ran off but was later tracked by a K9 team and arrested.  The officer was not seriously injured. An 18-year-old woman who had been a passenger in the vehicle was also arrested. 

In the present case, Lamb is charged with theft, four counts of first degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, and two counts of second degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, all felonies.  He is also charged with two counts of misdemeanor theft and three counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief.  He remains in custody of the Department of Corrections.