Arson suspect may have fled state, cops say
Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News
Published April 14, 2007 at midnight
Police said they believe a Lakewood woman suspected of setting fire to her townhome while her family slept inside may have fled Colorado.
Nancy Jean Jewett, 47, is sought on a warrant accusing her of four counts of attempted murder.
Jewett's 22-year-old daughter was treated for a burn on her forearm and her 19-year- old son for smoke inhalation.
Jewett's husband and her daughter's boyfriend also were in the townhome at 408 S. Balsam St., at the time of the fire early Wednesday.
Investigators would not say how the fire, which caused moderate damage, was set.
Court records indicate Jewett pleaded guilty to careless driving resulting in injury Jan. 17 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail the same day. However, court records show the sentence was suspended. She also was sentenced to 50 hours of community service in connection with the crash in Gilpin County.
According to a restitution affidavit, Jewett ran into the rear of a car driven by Glenn Charette, of Colorado Springs, at between 40 and 45 mph. The vehicle driven by Charette was totaled, and Charette reported injuries to his neck and leg.
In August 2001, Jewett was sentenced to two years' probation and 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty to theft and check-forging charges out of Lakewood.
In June 2003, she and her husband filed for bankruptcy but the case was dropped, according to court records.
Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis said Friday there have been no sightings of Jewett since she apparently left home in a green 1998 Buick Century with Colorado license plate 641-KNG.
"Right now (investigators) haven't heard or seen anything," Davis said. "They're under the impression she may be out of state."
poppenj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5176
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
