Cops release photo of Fruita robbery suspect

The Fruita Police Department on Thursday released a surveillance photo of the man suspected in Wednesday’s robbery of US Bank, 412 Kokopelli Blvd. Police have said the suspect walked into the bank around 3:30 p.m. and demanded money while claiming to control a bomb outside the bank. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. Anyone with information is asked to call Mesa County Crime Stoppers at (970) 241-STOP.

Murder suspect can wear makeup, judge rules

District Judge Valerie Robison on Thursday ruled that 52-year-old Miriam Helmick will be allowed to apply cosmetics and style her hair at the Mesa County Jail, prior to daily testimony in Helmick’s upcoming murder trial.

Robison said the beauty work must conform with the jail’s policies. Inmates are not allowed access to colored pencils. Helmick, who is charged with the June 2008 slaying of her husband, Alan, is scheduled for a five-week trial that starts Tuesday.

According to the Grand Junction Police Department:

• Anthony Jay Didonato, 23, 508 W. Fifth St. in Palisade, was arrested Wednesday in the 2400 block of Hall Avenue on suspicion of intimidating a witness or victim, and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Officers initially contacted Didonato for a noise complaint.

• Someone Wednesday stole keys and checks from a woman’s purse in the 400 block of Ouray Avenue, before stealing a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire.

According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department:

• Jesus Francisco Campos, 18, 3207 W. Main St. in Clifton, and Maria Diaz Hernandez, 22, 3242 D 1/2 Road, were arrested during a traffic stop Wednesday on suspicion of accessory to harboring a fugitive. Sergio Duarte, 27, address unknown, was arrested in the same incident on suspicion of absconding from parole.

• Deputies Wednesday recovered a black Volvo sport utility vehicle in the 2900 block of North View Drive. It had been reported stolen out of Steamboat Springs.