Steamboat Pilot & Today

Two stolen vehicles and five DUI arrests made for an average New Year's, despite the larger than average crowds in town, according to the Steamboat Springs Police Department and Routt County Sheriff's Office.

"It was kind of average, nothing really out of hand," police Sgt. Nick Bosick said.

Two vehicles were stolen New Year's Eve from two separate parties near the Blue Sage Drive and Mauna Kea Lane area. The vehicles were found undamaged, and the police have suspects.

A 1992 Ford AeroStar van was stolen New Year's Eve and found stuck in a snow bank later that night on Blue Sage Drive. A city worker said he saw the van go into the ditch, and 10 minutes later, the driver was gone with the keys still in the ignition and doors unlocked.

A 1995 Ford Explorer reportedly was stolen Thursday morning and later was found in the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue.

Suspects were believed to be in their 20s, Bosick said.

The sheriff's office arrested one man before midnight on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. The police and sheriff's department arrested two drivers on DUI charges early Thursday morning.

More DUI arrests could have been made if the police department had not been occupied with other calls, Bosick said. But Bosick also said many New Year's Eve revelers opted to walk, ride the bus or take a taxi. Alpine Taxi was booked with an hour-and-a-half wait after midnight Thursday, Bosick said.

The police arrested a 26-year-old Florida man on suspicion of damaging an office in Lupo's, a bar in Ski Time Square. David Lee Suomela is alleged to have walked into an office that was under construction, ransacked the room, vomited and was found passed out, Bosick said.

Suomela, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., was arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief, tampering and criminal trespass.

Fights also broke out after the bars closed in Ski Time Square and on the Steamboat Springs Transit Bus.

Sheriff's Sgt. Troy McDaniels said New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were relatively smooth in the county. Parking problems were reported at Dry Lake Campground on Buffalo Pass. A report was made that 70 to 80 cars were parked in the area disturbing nearby homeowners.

McDaniels said more than 30 parking warnings were given to vehicles late Thursday afternoon.

The campground is used for parking by backcountry snowmobiling and skiing.

-- To reach Christine Metz call 871-4229

or e-mail cmetz@steamboatpilot.com