Stabbed, Robbed And Dumped: Denver Cops Nab Laborer For Homicide

DENVER, CO -- A Denver grandfather who hired a part-time laborer to help with lawn work was able to identify, before he died, the man who fatally attacked and robbed him and then threw him out of his truck onto the street.

Denver police arrested Michael Sell, 48, Wednesday in connection with the homicide that occurred on Saturday in the 5300 block of North Washington Street.

Sell was hired by the victim, 77, whose name was not yet released, to do yard work around the family's Denver home, according to a police affidavit. Sell was also asked to help the victim in his weekly business selling roasted green chilis and piñon nuts at the Mile High Flea Market.

On Saturday morning, the victim's relatives told police Sell agreed to accompany the victim on an early morning trip to Home Depot. The relatives said the Denver grandfather often carried cash in his pocket.

Witnesses saw the victim's blue 2001 Chevy pickup swerving for a couple blocks as it traveled northbound down Washington Street, stopping on the 5300 block around 6:50 a.m.

They told police the injured man was thrown out of the truck onto the street. The blue Chevy then drove away.

The injured man had been slashed by a sharp object but was able to speak before being taken to a hospital. He reportedly told samaritan helpers and police that the man who attacked and robbed him was "Michael" who had been hired to help him with landscaping, the affidavit said.

The man later died of his injuries.

Sell reportedly returned the truck to the family home between 7 - 7:45 a.m. and told a person who lived there that he had dropped his boss at Ace Hardware and needed to go pick him up. He was "in a hurry" to enter the family's detached garage, the person told police. Sell left with the pickup and did not return.

After broadcasting photos of Sell and requesting the public's help to find him this week, police finally arrested Sell.

Sell is being held in the Denver County jail without bond facing charges of negligent homicide, according to the Denver Sheriff's website.

Image via Denver Police