Investigation into aggravated burglary leads to arrest of drug offender in Steamboat

A 31-year-old woman wanted for burglary and theft locked herself in the bathroom of Kum & Go and repeatedly flushed the toilet before she was arrested by Steamboat Springs police on a drug charge on Monday.

An affidavit states that an officer saw Steamboat resident Marissa Lynn Bauder driving her black Dodge Journey east on Lincoln Avenue shortly before noon. Knowing of a felony warrant issued on May 15, he began following the vehicle.

The officer then noticed the black Dodge failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic before losing sight of the vehicle, an affidavit states. Officers eventually found the car parked and unattended in the gas station parking lot before spotting Bauder in the restroom.

“Bauder continuously flushed the toilet while she was on the toilet,” the affidavit states. “Bauder had to be asked several times to come out of the toilet stall. Once she left the stall, she refused to follow the instructions.”

After officers informed Bauder of the warrant for her arrest for aggravated burglary, according to the warrant, she became combative and “resisted being handcuffed and two officers had to assist … in taking her into custody” as she “continued to attempt to elude officers.”

According to the affidavit, a search of Bauder’s vehicle allegedly yielded 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, about 100 small plastic bags and used syringes, as well as a notebook labeled “Crack” with lists of names and transactions.

According to the arrest affidavit, methamphetamine was found in a small pipe and drug residue found by police.

The drug arrest came less than a week after local authorities issued a burglary warrant for Bauder’s arrest. The investigation began on April 26, when Steamboat police were called to a suspicious incident at the West Acres mobile home park.

According to the arrest warrant, the homeowner told police that someone entered his home sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and stole about $1,200 in cash. The homeowner said his wife locked the doors before leaving, and police confirmed that the other resident of the home was in the Routt County Jail at the time.

In addition to the missing cash, the reporter said an $800 cell phone and a key to the trailer, which was left in the laundry room, were also missing. A melon with a knife stuck in it was left in the kitchen.

“(The property owner) stated that all doors to the trailer were locked and that he believed whoever entered had used the dog door to gain entry,” the search warrant states.

Days later, police reviewed video recorded by the homeowner’s surveillance system and positively identified Bauder and two other people: Alex Morgan, 30, and Teyha Rennee Martinez, 25.

According to the arrest warrant, video surveillance showed the three people entering and exiting the homeowner’s trailer and vehicle several times over the course of the day, starting at 10:32 a.m., with various items.

The homeowner also reviewed the footage and reported other items taken that he was unaware were missing, including a jar of coins valued at about $100, items of clothing belonging to his wife, and a checkbook from a local business whose roommate also owned.

The homeowner told police that Bauder was his neighbor and Martinez was his brother-in-law’s ex-wife. The homeowner’s roommate later positively identified Morgan during a police interview at the Routt County Jail and also recognized Bauder and Martinez, the warrant states.

According to the arrest warrant for Bauder, a check from the missing checkbook for $1,402.05 was used to service a Ford Explorer at an auto repair shop in Steamboat. The homeowner also stated that five transactions totaling $210 were made using his missing debit card – bringing the total value of the allegedly stolen items to $2,472.05.

Police later reviewed surveillance footage from the auto repair shop, identified Martinez, and seized a copy of the check she allegedly wrote.

In addition to Bauder, arrest warrants were also issued against Martinez and Morgan on May 15.

Martinez is charged with burglary and identity theft. She failed to appear for a bail hearing in Routt County District Court on Thursday.

Morgan, who is currently being held in the Moffat County Detention Center on other charges, is scheduled to appear virtually in Routt County Court on Friday for a bail hearing. He also faces charges in Garfield County.

Bauder is currently being held at the Routt County Detention Center. She is scheduled to appear in court on June 5 for a bail hearing on drug charges and burglary. The charges include second-degree burglary (a Class 3 felony), second-degree criminal trespass (a Class 6 felony) and two minor offenses of trespassing and tampering.

Her drug offenses include illegal distribution, manufacture, delivery or sale and possession of a controlled substance. She is charged with obstructing a police officer, failure to yield the right of way and driving without a license.

In another case, Bauder is scheduled to appear in Moffat County on June 6 for a hearing on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and defective vehicle.