Updated 6:01 p.m., Feb. 28, 2024
Tyler Boebert, the 18-year-old son of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, was arrested by Rifle police officers Tuesday, in connection with a “recent string of vehicle trespass and property thefts” in the town.
While officials have yet to release details, Colorado Bureau of Investigation records indicate Tyler Boebert was breaking into vehicles to steal credit cards and other identification documents, such as driver’s licenses and passports.
According to CBI documents released Tuesday night, Tyler Boebert faces multiple felony charges, including criminal possession of multiple stolen financial devices and criminal possession of identification documents. Both crimes are classified as class 6 felonies, which is punishable by 12 to 18 months in prison and fines up to $100,000. Tyler Boebert also faces over “15 additional misdemeanor and petty offenses,” according to Rifle police.
A heavily redacted affidavit released Wednesday details how investigators came to identify Tyler Boebert. Rifle police began getting reports of a series of break-ins and thefts last week. The affidavit detailed the accounts of four victims who had various items stolen, including debit cards, social security cards, and driver’s licenses. The victims said their credit and debit cards racked up several unauthorized charges. One attempted charge, which was denied, was for $717 on SHEIN, a fast fashion online retailer.
The arresting officer wrote that he was able to use financial statements to track down the suspects. The officer reviewed footage at a gas station and recognized Tyler Boebert from previous interactions, who was wearing a hoodie adorned with branding from his mother’s former restaurant, Shooters Grill. He was accompanied by three other people in the video.
The officer sought to verify Tyler Boebert and his accomplices’ identities, going to Rifle High School’s principal for assistance. After a series of interviews, many of which were with parents and their underage children, the officer was able to verify the identities of the four people in the security footage.
On Tuesday, the officer contacted Tyler Boebert, who voluntarily agreed to speak with the officer outside his home. Following some questioning, the officer placed Tyler Boebert under arrest.
Garfield County jail records show that Tyler Boebert was released sometime after his court hearing Wednesday. He spent the night in jail after his arrest Tuesday.
In a statement, Lauren Boebert said she will continue to support her son and said he has struggled with "very difficult, public challenges."
"I will never give up on him and I will continue to be there for him. As an adult and father, Tyler will take responsibility for his actions and should be held accountable for poor decisions just like any other citizen," she said.
In his first court appearance on Wednesday, Tyler Boebert appeared in a prison jumpsuit from Garfield County jail. His bond was set at $1,250. He will return to court April 11. The judge ruled that his affidavit be redacted due to the involvement of minors in the break-ins Tyler Boebert allegedly participated in.
Tyler Boebert’s arrest is the latest in a string of run-ins between the Boeberts and law enforcement. The 18-year-old, one of four sons, was allegedly the victim of domestic abuse during the family’s most recent incident, when his father, Jayson Boebert, was arrested in January on multiple charges, including third-degree assault, harassment and prohibited use of a firearm.
Jayson and Tyler Boebert allegedly got into a physical altercation at their family home, with the confrontation ending after Jayson stuck “his right hand thumb into Tyler’s mouth” in what the son described as an effort to pull his teeth.
That incident happened just three days after a public dispute between Lauren and Jayson Boebert, who recently divorced, at a restaurant in Silt. Jayson Boebert accused his ex-wife of being physically abusive toward him after a conversation between the two got heated.
Silt police issued a warrant for Jayson Boebert on obstruction, trespassing and disorderly conduct charges after he refused to leave the restaurant the argument happened at. An arrest affidavit said Jayson Boebert was noticeably intoxicated and belligerent toward police and patrons.
Lauren Boebert said recent personal life troubles have played a part in her decision to leave her current district and instead run for office in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which is being vacated by fellow Republican Rep. Ken Buck. She recently made the move to Windsor, though it is not clear which sons, if any, joined her.
CPR News’ public affairs reporter Caitlyn Kim contributed to this report.
