Clear Creek County Deputies Arrest Brian Cope After Car with Fake Plates, Weapons Found
Silver Plume, CO – On Monday, Brian Cope, 40, was arrested by Clear Creek County Sheriff’s deputies after a vehicle with fake plates and an obstructed VIN was discovered in a dirt lot in Silver Plume.
The vehicle, found around 4:30 p.m., was traced back to Cope. Deputies learned that he had an extraditable warrant from Summit County for failure to comply. Authorities were also warned that Cope had violent tendencies and was armed.
While investigating, deputies noticed Cope walking along a mountain trail. They observed him briefly place an item behind a rock, which led to his arrest. The item was later identified as a loaded 9mm handgun.
A search of the car revealed numerous illegal items, including:
A short-barreled rifle without a serial number
Six high-capacity magazines
A Kevlar tactical vest with metal plates
A tactical helmet
A police scanner
A replica badge for federal law enforcement
Burglary tools (e.g., bolt cutters, pliers)
Drug paraphernalia
Cope now faces multiple charges, including possession of a weapon by a previous offender, impersonating a peace officer, unlawful firearm possession, and possession of burglary tools. He is being held on a $25,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a return filing of charges in Clear Creek County court on December 24.