Audio By Carbonatix
In the wild, predators don’t typically go out of their way to challenge the strongest opponents. Rather, they seek out the weakest members of the herd.
Jeffrey Knouse has earned an extended stay at the Cross Bar Hotel for demonstrating this same sensibility on an 81-year-old man simply trying to relieve himself.
In June 2010, according to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Arthur Maes, the victim in question, attended a movie at a complex on Westminster Boulevard. But unfortunately, the action didn’t stay on the screen. Instead, it took place in the restroom.
As Maes, who uses a cane, was standing in front of a urinal, Knouse, who’s thirty, attacked him from behind. Maes fell to the floor as Knouse snatched his wallet and split.
When news happens, Westword is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $50,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community. If Westword matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
By cinematic standards, this act was far from the perfect crime. Knouse was subsequently arrested — and he admitted to cops that he’d targeted Maes because he was old and infirm.
Classy.
In August, a jury found Knouse guilty of seven felony counts — among them robbery of an at-risk adult, identity theft and criminal possession of a financial transaction device. This week, a judge sentenced him to six years in jail, followed by five years of probation.
He probably won’t be as vulnerable as Maes upon his release — but just wait a few decades.
Here’s a better look at Knouse’s mug shot.
Click here to follow and like the Michael Roberts/Westword Facebook page.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive: “Man threatens to stab cupcake store employees using syringe filled with AIDS-infected blood.”
