Executive Summary
- Bryan Groehler was arrested in Kansas after a seven-week manhunt initiated in Grand Junction, Colorado.
- The suspect faces charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, and domestic violence.
- Police began the investigation on Dec. 31, 2025, after finding a seriously injured woman who claimed an acquaintance tried to kill her.
- Extradition proceedings are underway to return Groehler to Mesa County.
A seven-week multistate manhunt concluded last weekend with the arrest of a Colorado assault suspect in Kansas, according to officials from the Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD). Bryan Groehler, 35, was taken into custody by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office more than 600 miles from the scene of the alleged crime, ending an investigation that spanned nearly two months.
The incident originating the search occurred on December 31, 2025. According to police reports, officers were dispatched at approximately 10:30 p.m. to the area of North 12th Street and Village Center Way in Grand Junction following reports of a woman screaming and a man laughing. Upon arrival, investigators discovered a woman’s clothing in the roadway but did not immediately locate any subjects.
A short time later, authorities received a second call regarding a woman who had entered a local business seeking refuge. The victim reported that a man known to her was armed with a gun and had attempted to kill her. Responding officers observed that the woman had sustained serious injuries, and she was subsequently transported to a hospital for medical attention. Following the initial investigation, the GJPD identified Groehler as the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest on January 1, 2026.
Groehler was apprehended by a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy in Kansas almost seven weeks later. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, felony menacing, weapon possession by a previous offender, prohibited gun usage, and domestic violence. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Procedural Next Steps
The arrest triggers the complex legal process of interstate extradition. The Mesa County District Attorney’s Office is currently coordinating with Washington County law enforcement to facilitate Groehler’s return to Colorado. Under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, authorities must secure a governor’s warrant or a waiver of extradition from the defendant before the transfer of custody can occur, ensuring that the accused is legally transported across state lines to face the pending charges in the jurisdiction where the crimes allegedly took place.
