Harold West of Loveland was arrested on November 4, more than two years after he allegedly placed a “hoax device,” or fake bomb, outside of the Larimer County Justice Center. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of July 31, 2023, which caused evacuations of the Justice Center and surrounding businesses. Court proceedings were canceled for the day and nearby employees and patrons sheltered in place. The Northern Colorado Bomb Squad removed the device and determined it was “intentionally designed to look like an improvised explosive with wiring and road flares.”
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office worked with the FBI on the investigation and identified West as the suspect. They believe the fake explosive was used to delay a court proceeding that was to be held that day. The LCSO had West as the county’s most-wanted suspect in October 2021 for multiple felony warrants in Larimer County as well as multiple charges by another local agency. Those charges included first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, second-degree burglary of a dwelling, third-degree assault, and other charges.
LCSO has charged West for attempt to influence a public servant (class 4 felony); possession, use, or removal of explosives or incendiary devices (class 5 felony); and obstructing government operations (class 2 misdemeanor) for his alleged actions of placing the hoax explosive device outside the Larimer County Justice Center in 2023…