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Man arrested in burglary, trespass at Dolores Schools

A suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass and burglary at the Dolores school campus. (Journal file photo)
Suspect was a former maintenance worker, allegedly gained access using keys

A former maintenance worker for the Dolores School District has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and trespass at the school, according to the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.

According to an incident report, on Feb. 9 Jose Benedicto Barrera-Monterroso, 37, was arrested while driving away from the school.

Jose Benedicto Barrera-Monterroso (Courtesy Montezuma County Sheriff's Office)

Based on school surveillance tapes, he is suspected of entering the school several times and is suspected of stealing cash and a box of toilet paper, said Sheriff Steve Nowlin.

Barrera-Monterroso faces multiple charges including second- and third-degree burglary, criminal trespass, possession of burglary tools, theft and criminal mischief.

When arrested, he was found with a set of school keys, Nowlin said.

“The suspect gained entry using keys that had been stolen,” Nowlin said.

According to the incident report, in August and September, a total of $1,000 was reported missing from the Dolores Bears booster club’s cash box. School Resource Officer Kaylee Green followed up with an investigation.

No suspect was immediately found. A safe was installed for the booster club funds, and additional surveillance cameras were installed.

On Dec. 28, a safe in the school kitchen’s office was found to have been broken into, and the new safe for the booster club had been tampered with, according to the incident report.

While reviewing weeks of surveillance video, Green observed a person in a gray hoodie wearing a white mask in the school on Jan. 26, Jan. 27 and Feb. 9 in the early morning hours. In some videos, the suspect was seen going into the closet where the booster money was kept. However, the person’s identification was unknown.

In early February, Green and Nowlin conducted surveillance operations for four nights at the school. On Feb. 9 about 12:30 a.m., they witnessed a man in a gray hoodie and mask exit a dark-colored Chevy Tahoe and enter school buildings.

When the suspect left the school, they pulled over the vehicle and arrested Barrera-Monterroso at Fourth Street and Central Avenue. Search warrants were obtained for his vehicle and home.

Nowlin said the school spend $15,000 to change all the locks on the campus. According to the incident report, when Barrera-Monterroso quit his job at the school in 2021, he turned in his keys, but he is suspected of making copies.

“It was quite a lengthy investigation by Deputy Green,” he said.

Barrera-Monterroso worked for several years as a maintenance worker at the school and quit in September 2021, according to the case report.

After his arrest, he posted bond. He is due in Montezuma County Court March 3 for filing of charges.