PUEBLO COUNTY, COLO. — The man accused of killing three people and setting fire to their home near Rye, Colo., is now considered one of the most wanted men in the country.
Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor said at a media briefing Thursday morning that Harry Mapps is now officially wanted on three counts of 1st Degree Murder and one count of Arson.
He was already wanted on charges of theft, identity theft and forgery. According to prosecutors, Mapps is accused of cashing checks made out to one of the victims. The new warrants are nationwide and extraditable.
It was Nov. 27 when 51-year-old Reginald Tuttle, his wife, 55-year-old Kim Tuttle, and their daughter, 33-year-old Dawn Roderick were all found dead in a home near Rye that had been burned. According to investigators, all three were shot. The fire was ruled arson.
Mapps was immediately named the primary suspect in the case. The last location authorities know where he was was in La Junta where he cashed one of the checks.
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The U.S. Marshal’s Office said Mapps is likely to become desperate and commit more crimes while he’s on the run.
“Mapps should be considered armed and dangerous,” Sheriff Kirk said. “Let’s find him and get him off the streets.”
Additional information and court documents remain sealed on the case because of the active investigation.
A $5,000 reward remains in place for information that leads to the capture of Mapps.
Statement from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office
Officials from the US Marshals Service joined both the Pueblo County Sheriff and District Attorney on Thursday morning to announce additional warrants for 59 year old fugitive Harry Carl Mapps. Mapps is now wanted for three counts Murder, Arson, and Federal Fugitive charges. These warrants are in addition to the nationwide no bond warrants for Theft, Identity Theft, and Forgery that were issued the week of the Rye murders.
Sheriff Kirk M Taylor explained that the 10th Judicial District has sealed the warrant so details of the investigation can’t be discussed but explained the process to obtain this kind of warrant takes time. “Our investigators held this crime scene for 5 days sifting and resifting – literally sifting …through every inch of debris to recover the smallest pieces of evidence. They have established detailed timelines, conducted dozens of interviews, and processed the evidence that allow us to say with certainty that Harry Mapps committed this terrible crime.” said Taylor who thanked his staff, the DA’s office and state and federal law enforcement agencies for their support during the investigation.
The US Marshals Service was also in Pueblo to share federal level developments in the case. US Marshal John Kammerzell announced they have obtained a Federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant for Harry Mapps. Kammerzell said, “Considerable investigative resources both locally and nationwide are being brought to bear by the Marshals Service in concert with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.”
Pueblo County District Attorney Jeff Chostner has stayed close to the investigation and several of the Pueblo County Deputy District Attorneys have been in constant contact with the Sheriff’s Office during the investigation. “The combined efforts of the 10 Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office have been close and seamless. Both offices have worked exceedingly close and well together. It is with this sense of team work that welcomed the US Marshal Service to the hunt for Harry Carl Mapps. Together we will apprehend the fugitive and allow the judicial process to begin.” said Chostner.
Mapps is a 59-year-old man, 6 foot, 150 pounds, salt and pepper hair and blue eyes. His 2004 blue Town and Country minivan with Disabled Veteran Texas plate 7-FSNK has not been located. He has several thousand dollars in cash at his disposal and may be taking advantage of homeless or veteran services. Mapps should be considered armed and dangerous. DO NOT approach him, call 911 if you spot him. If you believe you have relevant case information, please call the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office at 719 583 6250 or the nationwide tip line at 877-WANTED2.
