Burglary spree in Chipita Park

A community is on edge after guns, rifles and jewelry were stolen from homes in a quiet El Paso County community.

There have been up to 20 burglaries in and around Chipita Park over the past few months.

“They broke in and went through everything. You feel very disrespected,” said Pat Gant, who had all of her drawers and closets combed through and torn apart.

“I had a blanket folded up on the couch, evidently they wrapped guns in it. It was old and it only meant something to me,” Gant said.

Other items had big price tags: $10,000 worth of guns, jewelry, power tools and cameras were all snatched from Gant’s home in Chipita Park.

“They cut the telephone lines. They were in the electrical boxes cutting the power,” said Gant.

“Quite a few neighbors are putting up cameras. We’re locked and loaded. We’re not happy. And I don’t see many police cars driving around like I used to,” said Jessica Unruh, a concerned neighbor in Chipita Park.

The Green Mountain Falls Police Department has recently resigned. Officers left after the string of break-ins were reported. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department has been actively investigating the burglaries.

But still, some locals say that having a few of the local officers around would bring them some peace of mind.

“It throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing. You don’t feel as safe here as you typically do,” neighbor Scott Varley said.

El Paso County deputies have not made any arrests in the string of burglaries.