Idaho sheriff: No threat to community after triple killing

BOISE, Idaho — There is no ongoing threat to the community following the arrest of a 22-year-old man connected to a triple killing, an Idaho sheriff says.

Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney gave few details in a statement Friday about the active investigation into the killing of a former Arizona power company executive, his wife and their adult son but said a diamond engagement ring taken from the home where the killings occurred has been recovered.

Detectives for several days had been trying to connect the ring to Adam M. Dees of Nampa. Raney said Dees had been trying to sell the ring.

“A few days ago, I could not confidently tell you not to be concerned about your safety,” Raney said in the statement released Friday afternoon. “Today, I feel comfortable saying that you can sleep peacefully tonight.”

Dees is not charged with murder. He’s charged with three counts of grand theft, three counts of forgery and a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

The victims found Tuesday in a home in the foothills outside Boise were Theodore M. Welp, 80, Delores Elaine Welp, 77, and their son Thomas P. Welp, 52. No motive or cause of death was released.