Home

Three Steamboat Springs men were arrested last week on suspicion of breaking into a man's home in October and stealing three rifles, a shotgun and a compound bow worth $2,300.

Ben Jacob Nierenberg, 20, Jeremy Ryan Dieckhoff, 22, and Nathan Richard Noble, 33, each were charged with burglary, a Class 3 felony; larceny, a Class 4 felony; and criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

According to the men's arrest affidavits, they are suspected of breaking into an acquaintance's home in the 1300 block of Sparta Plaza and stealing a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a 1917 .303-gauge British rifle, a Browning A-Bolt action rifle, a MAK-90 semiautomatic rifle and a Thunderflite compound bow. Police reports indicate the men also are suspected of causing about $200 worth of damage to the front door during the burglary.

Noble became a suspect in the case after Steamboat Springs police officers were told he knew about the guns in the home and that he had acted aggressively toward the victim of the burglary, reports indicate.

The arrest affidavit also indicates another person told police he saw Noble with a sawed-off shotgun at Noble's plumbing shop. The individual also told police Noble had a few new guns that he had to "get rid of quick."

Police say another witness confirmed the men stole the guns and that they had been seen in possession of them.

Nierenberg and Dieckhoff were arrested Thursday; Noble was arrested Friday. The three were booked into Routt County Jail.

Nierenberg posted his $5,000 bond, and Noble posted his $30,000 bond. Dieckhoff still is in jail.

The men are scheduled to appear in Routt County Court on Wednesday.

-- To reach Alexis DeLaCruz, call 871-4234

or e-mail adelacruz@steamboatpilot.com