Sophie Shafer, age 18, of Bailey

Michael Pantera, age 27, of Denver

On Friday December 21, 2007, Park County Sheriff's Detectives received information concerning a possible suspect in the series of burglaries that had taken place in Park and Jefferson Counties, according to a press release from the Park County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Postal Inspectors, have identified Michael J. Pantera and Sophie Schafer as the burglary suspects. The investigation indicated Pantera had pawned numerous stolen items in the Denver metro area, the Sheriff's department said.

Pantera, who has no permanent address, was staying in motels in the Denver area. He is currently in the Jefferson County Jail where he is facing theft and burglary charges, according to the press release.

Park County Sheriff's Detectives are in the process of seeking arrest warrants for Pantera and Schafer which could include felony charges of second degree burglary, criminal mischief, possession of stolen property, providing false information to a pawn shop, and theft.

Sheriff Wegener and Undersheriff Gore commended their department's deputies and detectives for their police work. Deputies conducted extra patrols and initiated neighborhood awareness. Sheriff's Detectives followed up on leads, conducted interviews, and worked several evenings conducting night surveillance operations in an effort to catch the burglars.

The Department release added, "We also appreciate our community for working hand in hand with law enforcement to bring this case to a successful conclusion."