CPD arrests Lopez on multiple charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping

CENTER — A busy two days for the Center Police Department ended Friday afternoon, April 8, with the arrest of Jonethan Lopez on several charges, including attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. 

Center Police Department Police Chief Dale Meek sent out a release Friday detailing the investigation and subsequent arrest of Lopez. 

Meek said officers were informed of a missing female who had been allegedly abducted and beaten by Lopez, on Thursday, April 7, during the afternoon. 

Officers began searching all the known hang outs, friends and family of the woman, Meek said. The alleged assailant, Lopez, was known to stay at an abandoned trailer that was in disrepair on Washington Street in Center. 

Officers found the door to the trailer open and made entry for a welfare check on the female. Clothing items of the victim were found but not the victim. Suspected narcotics were found in two separate rooms. The trailer was secured, and a search warrant was obtained. 

Authorities learned that Lopez just had a warrant issued on April 7 for missing court on multiple domestic violence related felonies while executing the first search warrant. 

His grandmother lived on the other side of the fence from the trailer, Meek said. Officers went to that location to look for the victim and suspect. Lopez came out of an RV parked in the yard as officers were at the grandmother’s residence. 

Lopez was immediately placed under arrest. He resisted arrest, Meek said. Almost 20 grams of heroin and methamphetamine were found on Lopez. 

The victim was not found that evening, Meek said. Other San Luis Valley law enforcement agencies were notified to watch for her. Friday morning, April 8, the victim was located and reported she was kidnapped, strangled, raped, and beaten. The victim was transported to an area hospital. 

Subsequent search warrants for the original trailer, the grandmother’s house and the RV were written to look for evidence of the sexual assault and for drug activity. Evidence supporting the crimes were located, Meek said. 

Lopez has had multiple charges over the last few months. He was previously arrested on suspicion of harassment of his ex-wife. He was subsequently arrested for a warrant for harassment, possessing a felony amount of narcotics, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. 

After being released, Lopez stabbed his girlfriend in the face and attempted to run from officers who had a warrant for his arrest for those previous offenses. Lopez was released again, and information came from several sources that he was selling drugs again. 

An ongoing investigation was being carried out into his narcotics sales when this incident occurred. Lopez’s charges from April 7 and 8 are: 

  • Warrant for harassment, stalking, and intimidating a victim.
  • Felony possession of controlled substance (heroin 5.63 grams)
  • Felony possession of controlled substance (meth 10.34 grams)
  • Violation of a protection order
  • Resisting arrest
  • Attempted murder
  • Assault first degree
  • Kidnapping first degree
  • Sexual assault

“I appreciate the extra hours of work and dedication of our officers in working this complex case,” Meek said. “Additionally, the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its close working relationship with the Center Police Department with dedicated support in critical cases.”