17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Statement Re: Charging Decision Related to Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez
Brighton, CO — Following the arrest of Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez, the District Attorney’s Office completed a thorough review of the facts and circumstances and made a final determination not to file charges against Mr. Valdez Gonzalez. The basis for that decision is contained in the facts below.
Disclaimer: Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez’s name is being used in this release because it was publicly printed and broadcast by a number of local media outlets following his arrest.
Facts:
On June 5, 2021, Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez attended a yard sale at a home in Westminster. The female homeowner believed that Mr. Valdez Gonzalez stole and was in possession of the bag she was using to carry cash for the yard sale. The woman confronted Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, but he informed her that she was mistaken and that the bag he was in possession of belonged to him.
The woman and her husband did not believe Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, and they attempted to prevent him from leaving the location. Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, who was in the front seat of his truck with the window down, drove away from the area. When he did so, the woman fell to the ground and sustained injuries as a result of the fall.
Mr. Valdez Gonzalez contacted police to inform them of the incident and to assure them he did not steal a bag containing money from the yard sale. Mr. Valdez Gonzalez’s wife also gave her husband’s bag to the police so they could review it. It is a bag he often uses when visiting yard sales. The female homeowner also reviewed the bag and confirmed it was not hers. The woman’s husband later called the police to inform them that they had, in fact, found their bag from the yard sale.
Conclusion:
As the facts and circumstances outlined above make clear, the original allegations arose from a regrettable mistake and misunderstanding. Not only did Mr. Valdez Gonzalez commit no crime, but he also took every opportunity to contact the appropriate authorities. Accordingly, there is no basis for the filing of criminal charges against Mr. Valdez Gonzalez. The homeowners were informed, understood, and agreed with the decision.
Go Back Disclaimer: Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez’s name is being used in this release because it was publicly printed and broadcast by a number of local media outlets following his arrest.
Facts:
On June 5, 2021, Mr. Armando Valdez Gonzalez attended a yard sale at a home in Westminster. The female homeowner believed that Mr. Valdez Gonzalez stole and was in possession of the bag she was using to carry cash for the yard sale. The woman confronted Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, but he informed her that she was mistaken and that the bag he was in possession of belonged to him.
The woman and her husband did not believe Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, and they attempted to prevent him from leaving the location. Mr. Valdez Gonzalez, who was in the front seat of his truck with the window down, drove away from the area. When he did so, the woman fell to the ground and sustained injuries as a result of the fall.
Mr. Valdez Gonzalez contacted police to inform them of the incident and to assure them he did not steal a bag containing money from the yard sale. Mr. Valdez Gonzalez’s wife also gave her husband’s bag to the police so they could review it. It is a bag he often uses when visiting yard sales. The female homeowner also reviewed the bag and confirmed it was not hers. The woman’s husband later called the police to inform them that they had, in fact, found their bag from the yard sale.
Conclusion:
As the facts and circumstances outlined above make clear, the original allegations arose from a regrettable mistake and misunderstanding. Not only did Mr. Valdez Gonzalez commit no crime, but he also took every opportunity to contact the appropriate authorities. Accordingly, there is no basis for the filing of criminal charges against Mr. Valdez Gonzalez. The homeowners were informed, understood, and agreed with the decision.
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District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.
District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.