DENVER (CBS4) – Four people were arrested on weapon and drug offenses by the Denver Police Department Friday night at a downtown Denver hotel. Officers were called to the Maven Hotel at 1850 Wazee Street at about 8:20 p.m. after receiving a tip from the public.
The incident was described by a department spokesperson as a “suspicious occurrence.”
(credit: CBS)
A shelter-in-place order was issued to two floors of the hotel, DPD Officer Anna Muñoz said. CBS4 was told those two floors were at the top of the hotel which had a wide vantage point of the area near Coors Field.
No one was told to leave the building or area, police tell CBS4.
ALERT: Officers were in the 1800 BLK Wazee on a report of a suspicious occurrence . The investigation led to the arrest of three males , charges are pending but they are related to illegal possession of firearms.
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 10, 2021
The incident ended peacefully and there were no injuries.
A CBS4 photographer witnessed SWAT personnel among the first responders, as well as a vehicle that was hauled away as DPD crime scene investigation personnel entered the hotel.
“It was weird because it didn’t feel like anything serious was going. Everyone was just going about their business and having drinks,” said Courtney Fearing, a guest who witnessed one of the arrests from the lobby. “I didn’t feel panicked. I feel like I had the thought after I learned what happened later, I was like, ‘OK that was a lot more serious than we originally thought.'”
(credit: CBS)
Saturday, DPD confirmed that search warrants were obtained for two rooms at the hotel and two vehicles were impounded. Evidence was recovered from the hotel rooms. Investigators planned to search the vehicles for evidence, according to the department’s press release.
The FBI’s office in Denver stated on social media Sunday morning saying, “We have no reason to believe this incident was connected to terrorism or a threat directed at the All-Star Game. We are not aware of any threat to the All-Star Game events, venues, players, or the community at this time.”
We have no reason to believe this incident was connected to terrorism or a threat directed at the All-Star Game. We are not aware of any threat to the All-Star Game events, venues, players, or the community at this time.
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) July 11, 2021
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass reports Denver police commanders told supervisors overseeing the All-Star game that although a large stash of weapons were found in a room, the incident was likely more about drugs than terrorism.
Suspects had taken room(s) at hotel near Coors Field.. and large stash of weapons was found in room. At a briefing this morning for @DenverPolice supervisors working All- Star game, Commanders told them same thing- that incident was likely more about drugs than terrorism.
— Brian Maass (@Briancbs4) July 11, 2021
DPD identified the four arrestees Saturday evening and listed their charges:
- Richard Platt, 42: Investigation of Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
- Gabriel Rodriguez, 48: Investigation of Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
- Ricardo Rodriguez, 44: Investigation of Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
- Kanoelehua Serikawa, 43: Investigation of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and a warrant from another jurisdiction
Two of the four suspects appeared in court on Sunday. Platt is being held on $50,000 bond for this case. There is also an ATF hold on Platt who is expected in court on Monday, according to the Denver Sheriff’s Department.
Gabriel Rodriguez also has an ATF hold and is expected in court on Monday. The other two suspects are also expected in court on Monday.
According to a Longmont Times Call report in 2016, Platt was arrested for felony menacing and intimidation of a witness after police found “one pot” of methamphetamine inside his home. Platt reportedly lived with his son, father and grandmother.
Longmont police, at the time, said Platt threatened his father with a knife after Platt lost custody of his son to his father.
According to court records, Platt pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse, weapon possession and drug felony in that case. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but the sentence was suspended in favor of four years of probation, two years of work release, 40 hours of community service and 30 days in jail which was credit for time served.
Platt has a criminal history dating back to 1998 when he was arrested in Lakewood on charges of burglary, robbery, theft and prohibited use of a weapon. He was sentenced to a year of probation in that case.
In 2020, Boulder police arrested him in April on drugs and assault charges. He posted bond and waived his right to a speedy trial. However, after multiple delays, that trial is scheduled for late August.
Less than two months later, Lone Tree police arrested Platt on four warrants issued for possession of a weapon by a previous offender, misdemeanor drug possession, violation of a protection order and violation of bail bonds.
Investigators are still interviewing witnesses, DPD stated.
UPDATE: pic.twitter.com/MtV4n7dVSr
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 11, 2021
At around 12:30 p.m., DPD says the investigation is still ongoing, and they will not be able to release the mugshots of the suspects because they are part of the investigation.
(credit: CBS)
In its press release, the department described the tip received from the public as “an excellent example of the critical role the community plays in public safety.” It invited further information from members of the public that could assist in the investigation.
Sage Hospitality, the operator of The Maven, released this statement:
“We are incredibly proud that our team swiftly alerted the authorities in this instance. We are thankful to DPD for their quick action to safely resolve this situation and will continue to work closely with them to support their investigation.”
Muñoz said Saturday that the incident did not appear to be connected to the MLB All-Star Game festivities occurring downtown this weekend in the vicinity of the hotel.
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