Reported Theft at Quarry Near Cheyenne Leads to Stolen Vehicle

A 59-year-old transient is facing a felony charge after a Laramie County Sheriff's deputy reportedly caught him in a stolen vehicle.

According to a booking sheet, it all started around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, after the deputy was dispatched to the Martin Marietta Granite Canyon Quarry at 636 I-80 Service Rd. for a report of a theft.

The deputy says the reporting person gave a vehicle description with a license plate that was showing stolen out of Colorado.

The deputy says he contacted the suspect vehicle and detained the occupant, later identified as Jeffrey Charles Blandford, until the vehicle was confirmed stolen.

He says a battery from mine equipment was located in the front seat.

Blandford was arrested and booked into the Laramie County Detention Center, and subsequently charged with felony theft, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

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Initial Court Appearance

On Tuesday, July 22, Blandford was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Thomas Lee on the charge.

Blandford told Lee that he wanted to represent himself, and a Faretta hearing was scheduled for Monday, July 28, at 11:30 a.m.

"Does the state have an objection against a 10% of $10,000 cash bond," Lee asked.

"No objection at this time," the state said. "Mr. Blandford does have a history of failure to appears and similar charges, so we agree that that's an appropriate bond."