Denver Woman Charged in Laramie Home Burglary

A Denver woman on Thursday denied allegations that she broke into a Laramie home she was supposed to be caring for and stole a laptop, $500 in cash and other items while the homeowners were out of town.

Holly Norris, 27, pleaded not guilty on one felony count of burglary Thursday morning in Albany County District Court. She could face up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Court documents say the victims left their home July 8. The neighbor's daughter, Norris, was supposed to water the outdoor plants while they were gone, but she did not have permission to enter the home or take any possessions.

The victims returned home July 12 to find a blue Dell Inspiron laptop, $500 in cash, a credit card, rolls of change and other items were missing from their home, according to the police affidavit.

A Laramie police officer went to the house July 12 and noticed pry marks "consistent with someone prying open the back door," according to the affidavit.

The officer then spoke with neighbors and learned from Norris' mother that Norris and a man had been at her home over the weekend. Court documents say a neighbor saw Norris with a large amount of cash, which the neighbor said was odd because Norris didn't have much money.

Norris' mother said she saw Norris with a blue laptop and that Norris and the man she was with had a large amount of change.

The next day, the victims told the officer a credit card that had been taken from their home was used at Gordman's in Thornton, Colo. Norris and the man she was with that weekend live in Denver, Colo., according to court documents.

The officer watched surveillance video from Gordman's and positively identified Norris using the victims' credit card.

Judge Jeffrey Donnell on Thursday set Norris' trial date for Jan. 10-11. She was arrested Wednesday on a warrant, and was in custody Thursday on $25,000 cash bond.