News in Brief

Moving furniture leads to arrest

ASPEN — An Aspen man surrendered to Pitkin County deputies Wednesday on allegations that he stole antique furnishings from a home in Old Snowmass.

Thomas Kiplingbaugh, 53, faces felony charges of theft of two antique night stands valued at about $1,600, according to an affidavit from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Brad Gibson, a detective with the sheriff’s department, said he is investigating other avenues in relation to Kiplingbaugh’s activity in Aspen.

In August 2007, Kiplingbaugh moved into and agreed to buy a $2.5 million home on Capitol Creek Road belonging to Bill and Kathleen Sharman of Texas.

Kiplingbaugh was never able to close the deal, however, and when he was threatened with eviction he voluntarily left the home in December 2007, according to court papers.

In December, Kiplingbaugh moved to a Sierra Vista Drive home (near Cemetery Lane in Aspen) belonging to Rick Schwartz, according to the affidavit.

The house was listed for sale at $4.9 million, and Kiplingbaugh and Schwartz agreed that Kiplingbaugh would move in under a similar agreement to eventually buy the home.

Kiplingbaugh backed out on the deal, according to statements in the affidavit, and he is scheduled to appear in Pitkin County District Court as part of an eviction process with Schwartz.

On April 23, at the request of police, Schwartz entered the Sierra Vista Drive home where Kiplingbaugh was staying and took photos of the missing night tables Kiplingbaugh is alleged to have moved from the Sharman’s home.

On April 29, sheriff’s deputies entered Schwartz’s home with a search warrant.

Deputies informed Kiplingbaugh about a warrant for his arrest, and Kiplingbaugh turned himself in on Wednesday. He was taken to the Pitkin County jail, where he was released on a $5,000 bond.

Another burglary at El Jebel liquor store

EL JEBEL — For the second time in a week, a liquor store was burglarized in the El Jebel area.

El Jebeverage, next to the El Jebel City Market, was broken into late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, Basalt Police Chief Keith Ikeda said. A window was broken to gain entry. Liquor was taken, but not cash, he said.

Police are aware of a burglary April 23 at El Jebel Liquor, across Highway 82 in the El Jebel Plaza, and will compare the cases for similarities, Ikeda said. The cash register was stolen in that case.

In the latest incident, police will review images from a City Market surveillance system to see if they can learn anything about the crime, Ikeda said.

Anyone with information about either case can call the Basalt Police Department at 927-4316 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at (800) 972-TIPS.

Former valley resident dies

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Steve P. Welsh, 36, of Steamboat Springs, died Sunday, April 27, 2008. Welsh lived in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley from November 1996 to 2003. Memorial services will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Steve Welsh Memorial Fund, care of the Yampa Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.