CPD 6-17-19
In 2018 the city of Cheyenne had a property crime rate approximately 45% higher than the national average, resulting in the Cheyenne Police Department formulating a response to property crime as its number one goal for 2019. Over the last five months, these efforts have resulted in 10 people prosecuted for burglaries, 16 for stolen vehicles, and many more have been identified and will be facing prosecution. This has been the result of a combined effort between the Cheyenne Police Department, the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office (DA) and the Laramie County District Court. While the CPD has referred some cases to the Cheyenne Municipal Court, most property crimes end up in the DA’s Office. The DA’s Office has cleared out 1,101 cases in 2019 and taken on 1,102 new cases. Some of the significant cases involve the following individuals:
Alec Praytor, 34, of Rock Springs, was sentenced on April 11 to 4-6 years in prison for receiving stolen property, DUI, interference with a peace officer and domestic battery with strangulation. Praytor was also ordered to pay $34,820.58 in restitution.
Benjamin Stephenson, 26, of Cheyenne, was charged with 2 counts of burglary and 2 counts of felony theft. Stephenson pled guilty on May 23 to the 2 counts of felony theft and 1 count of receiving stolen property. Stephenson is still awaiting sentencing at this time.
Tyler Landers, 23, of Cheyenne, pled guilty to 3 counts of felony receiving stolen property and is awaiting sentencing.
Compared to this same time last year, burglaries have decreased an average of 28%, motor vehicle burglaries have decreased an average of 40%, and shopliftings have decreased an average of 25% while stolen vehicles have remained about the same.
The CPD will continue its efforts of fully investigating property crimes, mapping crime trends, and proactively looking for property crime offenders. Meanwhile, we want to remind our community that your efforts are essential to prevent crime from occurring. Lock your doors, secure your valuables, and report any suspicious or criminal activity to the Laramie County Combined Communications Center at 307-637-6525.
