An Aspen resident, Andrei Rotari, was taken into custody in connection with recent incidents of vandalism and property damage in Aspen. His arrest on October 13 included felony charges of burglary and criminal mischief following a break-in at the Aspen Municipal Golf Course around 2 a.m. on that day.
The Aspen Police Department responded to a call regarding “significant property damage” at the Aspen Municipal Golf Course on the morning of Friday. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a shattered glass door and damage to the business alarm system. Inside the facility, they discovered extensive damage to equipment and merchandise.
“Our officers didn’t waste any time making this arrest,” said Aspen Police Deputy Chief of Operations Bill Linn. “It’s a clear signal that we’re serious about keeping Aspen safe, from our neighborhoods to our public spaces.”
At approximately 2:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to Rotari’s residence, where he was placed under arrest and transported to Pitkin County Jail.
Rotari was identified as a suspect based on surveillance footage obtained during the investigation, which was led by Aspen Detective Jeremy Johnson.
In a press release, police called the incident “highly unusual” and stressed that efforts are in place to ensure the safety and security of all city facilities, as APD is continually committed to the protection of the community.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
