Four people were arrested on charges related to illegal guns and drugs after Denver police began investigating a “suspicious occurrence” Friday at a hotel near Coors Field.
“We have recovered weapons. We have recovered narcotics,” Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen said. “This investigation really is just getting started. There’s a lot of questions that we all have.”
The four arrested are:
- Richard Platt, 42, who is being investigated for possession of a weapon by a previous offender and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was also wanted on a warrant from another jurisdiction
- Gabriel Rodriguez, 48, who is being investigated for possession of a weapon by a previous offender and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
- Ricardo Rodriguez, 44, who is being investigated for possession of a weapon by a previous offender
- Kanoelehua Serikawa, 43, who is being investigated for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Serikawa was also wanted on a warrant from another jurisdiction
All four are being held at Denver’s Downtown Detention Center. Police did not say where they are from.
“The investigation and arrests were the result of a tip from the public, serving as an excellent example of the critical role the community plays in public safety,” the Denver Police Department said in a news release late Saturday. “DPD encourages residents and visitors to always be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious or illegal activity to police immediately.”
Investigators did not elaborate on the suspicious occurrence that prompted their investigation.
“Through the investigation, Denver police arrested three men and a woman, obtained search warrants for two rooms and recovered evidence, and two vehicles were also impounded to be processed for possible evidence,” the release said.
The suspicious occurrence was reported at The Maven Hotel, which is a block away from Coors Field. Pazen credited an alert employee at the hotel for alerting authorities.
“This investigation is active and ongoing, and Denver Police encourage anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867),” the release said. “To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and potential prosecution, evidentiary details are not available for release.”
The FBI said it didn’t believe there was any threat connection between the arrests and the All-Star Game.
“We have no reason to believe this incident was connected to terrorism or a threat directed at the All-Star Game,” the bureau’s Denver branch said in a tweet. “We are not aware of any threat to the All-Star Game events, venues, players, or the community at this time.”
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Sunday afternoon that Lower Downtown Denver is safe and that no one should be fearful of attending All-Star Game events in the area.
“I want to encourage everyone to come downtown, continue to enjoy the festivities,” he said at a news conference.
Hancock urged patience when it comes to the arrests and the related investigation.
“We cannot definitively say what this situation is yet,” Hancock said.
Pazen said Denver entire public safety apparatus is working to keep the city safe during the All-Star Game festivities.
“What we saw take place is the system working,” he said. “We are not aware of any ongoing threat.”
Denver police also responded to a shooting overnight Friday near Coors Field that left two people wounded. It happened near the intersection of 19th and Blake streets.
The victims are expected to survive.
Thousands of people are flooding into downtown Denver ahead of the All-Star Game, scheduled to be played Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Coors Field.