MESA COUNTY, Colo. - On September 22, 2026, at approximately 7:45 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of Highway 141 and 31 4/10 Rd, south of Whitewater, after a hiker reported hearing male and female voices yelling, followed by the sound of gunshots.

Upon arriving in the area, deputies contacted an adult male who denied arguing with anyone and stated he didn’t have any weapons in his possession. The male was identified as Joshua Aarness, 45, of Clifton. Speaking further with Aarness, he acknowledged an adult female had left him in the area and drove away prior to deputies' arrival.

While deputies were leaving the area, they located a vehicle suspected of being driven by the involved female with Aarness. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the sole adult female occupant. After identifying the female, deputies became aware she is a protected party in a restraining order against Aarness. During the course of the investigation, Aarness became suspected of a domestic violence incident that included pointing and shooting a gun at the female shortly before the hiker made the concerned call to dispatch.

Aarness was re-contacted in the trailhead area where deputies initially located him. He was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Assault 1st degree with intent to cause serious bodily injury - deadly weapon, Felony 3 (2 counts)
• Criminal attempt, Felony 4 (2 counts)
• Menacing real/simulated weapon, Felony 5
• Attempt to influence a public servant, Felony 4
• Prohibitive use of a weapon, Misdemeanor 1
• Violation of a protection order, Misdemeanor 1
• Domestic violence

He remains in jail, held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

On September 23, at approximately 7:15 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of an assault in progress in the 500 block of Eastbrook St., in Grand Junction. Deputies have previously been called to the same location seven prior times in 2026 for calls related to assaults, fighting, harassment, and vandalism.

On this call, deputies made contact with Angelo Holcomb, 41, of Grand Junction, outside the residence in the street. While attempting to speak with him, he swung close-fist punches at deputies. Ultimately, the first swing missed, but the second punch struck a deputy in the face, knocking her to the ground and causing additional injuries. That deputy was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

After arresting Holcomb, deputies investigated what occurred before they contacted him on scene. Deputies located a shattered vehicle windshield with a broken mirror, and a witness who stated Holcomb threw a rock that caused the damage to the vehicle. Multiple witnesses described Holcomb in the street removing his pants, exposing his genitalia, and touching himself in a lewd act directed at a female.

Holcomb was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Assault 2nd degree on a police officer/fire fighter, Felony 4 (2 counts)
• Criminal attempt, Felony 5
• Assault in the 3rd degree, Misdemeanor 1
• Obstructing a peace officer, Misdemeanor 2
• Resisting arrest, Misdemeanor 2
• Criminal mischief, $300 - $1000, Misdemeanor 2
• Indecent exposure, Misdemeanor 1
• Disorderly conduct - offensive gesture, Petty Offense
• Criminal Mischief - under $300, Petty Offense

Holcomb remains in custody on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

On September 23, just after 9 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a harassment and vandalism in progress in the 2900 block of Redbud Ct., in Grand Junction. Deputies on scene saw a shattered sliding glass window, and the homeowner explained how it broke. Another deputy located the female suspect, with a small child, near the home. 

Taleah Beltran, 30, of Grand Junction, was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Child abuse - knowingly reckless - no injury, Misdemeanor 2
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, Petty offense

Beltran remains in custody on a $1,000 PR bond.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office reminds our community that domestic violence often escalates over time. If you are experiencing or witness domestic violence, contact law enforcement immediately.