FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2024
Arrest of Previous Offender with Extensive Criminal History
Pueblo, CO― On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 2:44 P.M., Pueblo Police Department officers were dispatched to a convenience store in the 1200 block of Spruce St. on an initial report of possible child abuse.
Upon arrival, officers located the individuals described in the call at the front of the store. The male suspect later identified as, Robert Ballage, 54, immediately fled the area on a bicycle. Officers were able to locate and apprehend the suspect in the 1300 block of Spruce St. A stolen firearm was in his possession at the time of arrest. He stated that he purchased the gun approximately two weeks prior, was on parole, and knew he was not supposed to have a weapon.
Ballage has been arrested 13 times in the City of Pueblo and his criminal history includes six prior Felony convictions including Vehicular Eluding, Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender and two convictions for Escape for criminal activity spanning the City of Denver, Pueblo, Jefferson, and El Paso Counties. He is currently on parole and was sentenced to four years and 15 months in May of 2021 for Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, Vehicular Eluding, and Impersonation stemming from the weapon being defaced. He was released in June of 2024. “This is a prime example of a previous offender knowingly continuing to re-offend when released back into our community,” stated Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller. “I am incredibly proud of the officers of the Pueblo Police Department for remaining steadfast in their efforts to address the crime in our city and for taking this suspect into custody and hopefully sending him back to jail for his crimes once again.”
Ballage was booked into the Pueblo Justice Center for a current charge of Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender and has a $10,000 bond.
###