Sedgwick County, 3 other sheriff’s offices rescue hostage sought after homicide victim found
A 26-year-old man was rescued Monday (Nov. 29) night after the Weld County Regional SWAT Team, the sheriff’s office strike team and three other sheriff’s office worked together in northeast Colorado.
One of two primary suspects has been arrested, but efforts are still underway to identify and locate the second suspect.
Oscar Eduardo Valles Avila was presumed kidnapped and in grave physical danger after the Weld County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday afternoon found 40-year-old Gilbert Gutierrez had been killed in the 23600 block of Blake Street in unincorporated Weld, just outside Johnstown, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Prior to finding the body, Gutierrez and Avila were last seen about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, when they were taken to the Blake Street location.
Extensive investigation revealed Avila had ties to the Julesburg area in Sedgwick County and might have been taken there by his abductors, according to the release. On Monday, members of the Weld Strike Team traveled to Julesburg, where they surveilled the area until the SWAT Team could mobilize.
The Strike Team relayed suspect and possible victim information, which led to Avila’s rescue about 8:15 p.m. Monday at a gas station off Interstate 76 in Julesburg. They were about 6 miles from the Nebraska state line, according to the release.
After providing Avila medical attention, the SWAT Team worked with elements of the sheriff’s offices from Sedgwick, Phillips and Logan counties to execute search warrants on two houses near 7th and Oak streets in Julesburg.
Members of the Strike Team arrested Marco Antonio Gutierrez-Herrera, 40, as a primary suspect. He was booked into the Weld County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault and menacing, all felonies.
The second primary suspect was in Julesburg early Monday in a 2015-2017 white Toyota Camry or similar sedan. He was in the same vehicle in Johnstown the day of the homicide, according to the sheriff’s office. He’s believed to have ties to the Pueblo area and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Julesburg and Sedgwick County residents, media and law enforcement are asked to provide the Weld County Sheriff’s Office with any security camera footage, such as doorbell camera video, of a white sedan, possibly the 2015-2017 Toyota Camry in the Julesburg area between Saturday and Monday, Nov. 20-22.
Anyone with such footage, or any other possible information about this case, is asked to contact Detective Ong at (970) 400-5816.
Sedgwick, Phillips and Logan counties provided resources including manpower and a second armored vehicle.
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