Hunt For Triple Murder Suspect In Colorado Widens To Include Entire U.S.
RYE, Colo. (CBS4) - The hunt for a man accused of murdering three members of a Colorado family has gone nationwide.
Firefighters found the victims in a burning home two weeks ago in the town of Rye in southeastern Colorado.
The search for Harry Carl Mapps, 59, has expanded from statewide to nationwide with the U.S. Marshals Office calling Mapps an extremely violent fugitive.
"We do consider him armed and dangerous; to be desperate," Chief Deputy Kenneth Deal, U.S. Marshal said. "Maybe desperate and willing to do anything to further his ability to stay on the run."
Mapps is the prime suspect in the arson and triple murder.
Firefighters discovered the bodies of Dawn Roderick, 33, and her parents, 51-year-old Reginald Tuttle and 55-year-old Kim Tuttle, after putting out a fire at the home in Rye. They had been shot to death before the fire.
Deputies say the arson was likely done to cover up the killings. The victims' family says they want Mapps captured.
"He took the mother of my children," Dawn Roderick's husband Mark Roderick said.
"Kind of disbelief. I had never seen him violent, I've never even seen him lose his temper, so I'm kind of in disbelief, but just real surprised."
Mapps had been working for Tuttles as a handyman and rented a room from them. He was last seen in La Junta where he cashed a forged check from his employer's bank account.
"I'm sure he's utilizing those funds in order to support himself while he's on the run," Deal said. "What we do know is he's a handyman who was working in the area providing a variety of services. When and if you do encounter Mr. Mapps, he's willing to do a variety of jobs that basically would place him underneath the radar.
"He may commit other crimes in order to stay on the run."
Mapps was last seen driving a blue 2004 Chevrolet mini-van with the Texas license plate 7FSNK.
There's a $5,000 reward for a tip that results in his arrest. Call (877)-WANTED-2 (926-8332) with information.
More Rye Murders Stories
- Man Says Murder Of His Wife & In-Laws Left Him, Children In Lots Of Pain
- US Marshals Join Search For Suspect In 3 Slayings In Rye
- Search Continues For Man Suspected Of Killing 3 In Rye
- Coroner Says 3 Found In Rye House Fire Were Shot To Death
- Handyman Sought After 3 Found Dead In Fire In Town Of Rye
