Trespassers Arrested After Break In At Fox West Theatre
Early on Thursday morning Nov. 13 multiple people entered the Fox West Theatre to photograph the building, prompting a police response that included a temporary closure of Main Street and one arrest. The incident highlights questions about building security public safety and how the community and authorities manage access to seldom seen local properties.
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Shortly before 6 a.m. on Thursday Nov. 13 the Trinidad Police Department responded to a report that several people had broken into the Fox West Theatre to take photographs of the interior. Officers described the group as urban explorers, a term that refers to people who document and explore abandoned or rarely seen artificial structures, according to an AI overview by Google.
One person fled the scene on foot as officers arrived, prompting authorities to temporarily close Main Street while the police searched the building for the individual. The search did not immediately locate that person. Another person identified by the Trinidad Police Department as Davian Hatfield did not leave and was taken into custody. Hatfield was charged with third degree criminal trespass.
The quick closure of Main Street interrupted morning traffic and drew attention from residents and passersby, illustrating how incidents at central downtown properties can have immediate effects on public safety and commerce. For neighbors and business owners the presence of people entering the theater without permission raises concerns about damage to the property and the potential for injury in an older or unsecured building.
From an institutional perspective the incident underscores the role of local law enforcement in balancing enforcement of trespass statutes with the need to protect public safety during active responses. The Trinidad Police Department took steps to secure the scene and to conduct a search when a suspect fled, actions that produced visible disruption on a main thoroughfare. The arrest and charge filed by police will be processed through the county criminal justice system as required by law.
The event also points to policy questions for the city and property owners about how to manage access to structures that attract urban exploration. Clear signage secured entry points and public outreach about legal ways to document local architecture are among the measures that can reduce unauthorized entry and the need for police intervention. Community interest in interesting or seldom seen local buildings may be an opportunity for civic engagement if owners and local officials pursue supervised access or preservation efforts.
For now the immediate legal consequence is the trespass charge against Davian Hatfield and an open search for the person who fled. Residents seeking further information can consult updates from the Trinidad Police Department or Las Animas County official channels as the matter progresses through the legal process.
