Shackled in handcuffs and leg irons, a teenager was ordered to be released into his mother's custody once fitted with an ankle monitor.
The juvenile, whose identity was withheld, was reportedly arrested in connection to two burglaries last week by the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office. Appearing before Montezuma County Magistrate Jeremy Botkins on Monday, Oct. 20, the youth offender was determined not to be a risk to himself or the community.
As recommended by a community review board's safety plan, the teenager was ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor, enroll at Southwest Open School by week's end and submit to alcohol and drug test as required. He was ordered to be released into his mother's custody on Wednesday.
A hearing for filing of charges was set for 9 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Since his arrest late last week, the teenager has been held at the DeNier Youth Services Center in Durango.
According to court officials, the teen has had some previous truancy issues but lacked any major criminal history.
Limited details of the case were posted on the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office Facebook page over the weekend. According to the social media site, two burglaries occurred between Oct. 12 and Oct. 14. Officials reported more than $96,000 in cash and two handguns were stolen.
Another teenager arrested in connection to the case was scheduled for a similar detention hearing on Tuesday, but the outcome was unknown before press deadlines.
Court officials said case files for both suspect were not available for public inspection.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
