Police Impound Vehicle in Williams Case
Thursday, January 4, 2007; 1:20 PM
DENVER -- Police impounded a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe early Thursday they believe might have been used in a New Year's Day drive-by shooting that killed Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.
Passers-by spotted the vehicle parked south of Denver International Airport and called police anonymously at about 6:30 a.m., police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
  Jonathan Benton from castle Rock, Colo., looks over a makeshift memorial for murdered Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams at the Denver Broncos headquarters in Denver, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. Williams was killed in what police are calling a drive by shooting early Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2007, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey - AP)   The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition • Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson |
"The community once again came through for us," he said.
Jackson said the vehicle had a license plate that matched the one investigators sought. Television images showed the SUV had no rear plate, but the front plate still was attached.
TV shots also appeared to show the vehicle had been spray-painted black on the sides, front and back, but the top remained white _ the original color of the vehicle authorities were seeking.
"It appears there was an attempt to disguise," Jackson said.
State confidentiality laws prevent police from saying whom a vehicle is registered to. However, the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post, citing sources they didn't name, reported the SUV belongs to Brian K. Hicks of Denver, who is jailed on drug and attempted murder charges.
Jackson declined to say whether a tipster or a witness led police to focus on the truck.
The vehicle was placed onto a flatbed tow truck and hauled away. Jackson said crime lab investigators would inspect the SUV, but he declined to discuss specifics of what they would look for or what tests they might conduct.
The Tahoe was found on a street amid snow-covered empty lots and industrial buildings under construction. A housing subdivision stood in the distance. Traffic sped by on a nearby thoroughfare.
Elisa Hall, who lives within view of the site where the Tahoe was found, said she hadn't noticed when the SUV was dropped off or impounded.
"It's scary," she said. "You think you're safe. I think this is in the middle of nowhere. This is far from Denver."
