A man wanted for several felony counts in Colorado and New Mexico was arrested Wednesday in a joint law enforcement operation northeast of Redmesa.
A news release from the U.S. Marshal’s Office said Jesse Rowe, 47, was arrested by the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Violent Offender Task Force and the Southwest Regional Colorado SWAT Team.
Sgt. Chris Burke said Rowe’s arrest occurred early Wednesday to minimize risk to other residents and to give Rowe less of a chance to escape capture.
“We wanted this to be on law enforcement terms and time and location, and so we weren’t out on the street,” Burke said.
Rowe had been hiding out on a roughly 50-acre property near the intersection of La Plata Highway (Colorado Highway 140) and County Road 100 in western La Plata County.
Rowe of Hesperus had been wanted by law enforcement in both states for more than two years.
Rowe allegedly threatened his girlfriend on Jan. 13, 2024, in rural La Plata County with a firearm. He fired two shots during the incident, according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service. He is also suspected of burglary with a deadly weapon on April 4, 2024, in San Juan County, New Mexico, the release said.
On Aug. 20, 2024, deputies from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office attempted to contact Rowe, who then fled from law enforcement. That occurred again on Jan. 13, which earned Rowe a felony eluding charge.
Burke said Rowe repeatedly fled from deputies when they tried to pull him over in his vehicle both in 2024 and in January. Not wanting to increase the danger of the situation by engaging in a high-speed chase, the deputies pursuing Rowe chose to let him go.
“There have been high-speed pursuits which we discontinued in the interest of safety for those in the public,” Burke said.
In early February, deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation to locate Rowe, the release said. He was found to be hiding in a property near the intersection of La Plata Highway and County Road 100, just northeast of Redmesa.
Burke said Wednesday’s operation involved the use of a K-9 unit and a Lakota helicopter for aerial surveillance and any type of evacuation in the event of an injury. Because of Rowe’s record of violence, deputies were cautious when arresting him.
“A concern of any high-risk arrest is weapon use,” Burke said.
Rowe attempted to hide inside structures on the property but was located by deputies using a tactical K-9 who successfully took him into custody, Burke said.
“After the dog was deployed, he was taken into custody safely and without incident,” Burke said.
Rowe was booked into the La Plata County Jail on the multiple felony counts from La Plata County and San Juan County.
He appeared virtually for a Thursday afternoon hearing on advisement in the La Plata County Courthouse. He is being held on bail for the charges in La Plata County, and was issued a protection order against the girlfriend he allegedly assaulted in 2024. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8 a.m. May 12.
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