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Home Where Fire Broke Out Linked To Suspected Auto Theft Ring

Fire Brings Police To Wheat Ridge Home, Again

POSTED: 4:23 pm MDT October 22, 2009
UPDATED: 6:57 pm MDT October 22, 2009

A house fire Wednesday night prompted police to go back to a home in Wheat Ridge just two months after they executed a no-knock raid at that same home.

The home at Miller Street and 45th Avenue and those who live there are believed to be involved in an auto theft ring that ended up injuring a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy.

On Wednesday night, the people living there had placed Duraflame logs in a natural gas oven to heat the home, which prompted the late night fire, firefighters said.

Firefighters battled flames and hotspots throughout the night and into the morning. The fire was ruled an accident but sources told 7NEWS the occupants are still under investigation for their role in the auto theft ring, though no charges have been filed.

Deputy Art Peterson, with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, is still in the hospital.

On Aug. 19, he was pursuing a stolen pickup truck when the driver of the pickup, whose name has not been released, pinned the deputy under the truck when he tried to pull her over.

Peterson is still recovering from his injuries and the driver has not been charged because she is still in the hospital, recovering from gunshot wounds.

Sources told 7NEWS she will be charged when she is released from the hospital. Otherwise, if charges were filed now, taxpayers would be forced to pay for her medical costs.

Police believe the stolen pickup truck is part of the theft ring but have not released any official information yet.

Sources told 7NEWS a search of the home uncovered a firearm and a stolen dirt bike but when 7NEWS asked police about the results of the search warrant, they said they would not release any information relating to the occupants of the home.

Neighbors said they wanted the residents, who rent, to leave and said they have been nothing but trouble since they moved in.

"I think they need to get the people out of there. Period," said neighbor Gary Bachus. "I've called the police several times and I am not the only one in this neighborhood that's done it."

The owner of the property said an eviction was in the works.

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