Real Life ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ in Denver
EmailIn a real life “Weekend at Bernies,” two Denver men who found their friend dead, allegedly took his body — and his credit card — out for a night of diners, bar hopping, burritos and a strip club.
Not only did the two suspects drag around their deceased friend Jeffrey Jarrett, 43, they made him pay for everything, a police report stated. They allegedly used his bank card at an ATM to withdraw money to finance the night on the town, according to the report.
Robert Jeffrey Young, 43, and Mark Rubinson, 25, are charged with identity theft, criminal impersonation and abuse of a corpse, according to the Denver County Court.
On Aug. 27, Young allegedly arrived at Jarrett’s house and found him unconscious. Instead of calling the police or an ambulance, he went to the restaurant where Rubinson was working to tell him that “something is wrong with Jarrett,” according to the police report.
The pair allegedly returned to Jarrett’s house, found him ”unresponsive,” put the body in the car and went to a bar.
“Rubinson and Young go into the restaurant and drink. Jarrett is in the back seat of the car,” Denver Police Officer Ranjan Ford wrote in the police statement. “Rubinson said he and Young use Jarrett’s credit card to pay for the drinks they consumed.”
They also made a stop at a diner before taking the body back to the house and putting it on a bed. They kept the bank card with them and used it to withdraw $400, according to police. The report said the two men ended their night around 4 a.m. after a few more stops, including a burrito restaurant and a strip club.
After the strip club closed, the duo allegedly flagged down a police officer and told him their friend might be dead at his house. When police officers arrived at the house, they “located Jarrett obviously deceased.”
“This is a bizarre and unfortunate crime,” Denver Police Department spokesman Sonny Jackson told the Denver Post. “This isn’t anything you want to have happen to a loved one. You want them treated with respect in death.”
Both of the men are free on bond and neither has been charged in Jarretts’s death. They could not be reached for comment. The cause of death is still unknown. Young is expected in court on Sept. 27 and Rubinson will be in court Oct. 4.
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I wouldn’t mind someone taking me around town for one last party. just ‘prop me up by the jukebox,’ and drink away.
Posted by: hereticzero | September 16, 2011, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
yikes! This man kept terrible company. I can’t believe they would find someone in distress and not call fro help. They must know Casey Anthony.
Posted by: boo | September 16, 2011, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
This was all done in the spirit of good fun and with the best of intentions. No charges should be filed against these young men for simply grieving for their friend in their own unique way. That is just too severe. They obviously had deep affection for the poor soul and wanted to celebrate his life. if only more of us had this same attitude regarding lost loved ones instead of the morbid rituals that too often accompany a death. It is clear from the mug shots that these two men were clueless that they were doing anything against the law and are still in shock over their loss and the consequences they now face from an unforgiving penal code.
Posted by: commonsensenow | September 16, 2011, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
commonsensenow, you have got to be their lawyer! “Good fun” and “best intentions” by using his own funds for their partying?! Typically a celebration of someone’s life comes after the family and other friends are notified of the death so that everyone can participate, don’t you think? Oy.
Posted by: puppyfeet217 | September 16, 2011, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
“I can’t believe they would find someone in distress and not call fro help” – ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? in distress? THE GUY IS DEAD! Let it be known now – if any of my friends find me dead, PLEASE TAKE ME TO THE STRIP CLUB AND GET ME A LAP DANCE. you may use my credit card.
Posted by: David c | September 16, 2011, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
@David C, the guy is dead NOW. But apparently he was only unconscious when first discovered at his home. It was after Young returned from the restaurant, after they loaded him in the car and went out for drinks, after the strip club and the burritos that he was dead. Who knows when during that process he died, or if he would still be alive if they took him to the ER instead of going out for drinks.
@Commonsense, they don’t look innocent or dazed to me. They look drunk and stoned.
Posted by: Susan in Warrenville | September 16, 2011, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
This is great! I hope my friends can have a few on me after I pass! They don’t look like the most intelligent souls, but at least they know how to have a good time!
Posted by: CHRIS | September 16, 2011, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Eh – mildly interesting that they copied a weekend at Bernies.
The truth of it is, they need to pay the credit card company back for what they spent.
As for the prosecutors moralizing and talk about treating a corpse with more respect, they can take their high horse and shove it right up their hind end.
Prosecutors don’t care about the respect we have for a corpse, they just like destroying lives.
So one dead – and two idiots with life altering records now that will make it nearly impossible for them to find a job – for the rest of their life.
Good job prosecutors, more victims in your wake.
Posted by: RoboBobo | September 17, 2011, 3:02 am 3:02 am
This man might still be alive had these 2 idiots called 911 when they found him “in distress” instead of throwing him in the car and going to party on their friends card. How sad for the deceased and his family.
Posted by: Connie Bussey | September 17, 2011, 9:47 am 9:47 am
I’m gonna go out on a limb here & say drugs were involved
Posted by: crrie | September 20, 2011, 12:57 am 12:57 am
Unbelievable! I can’t imagine touching a corpse- yuck! What were these guys on?! I don’t condone theft, but swiping his card would’ve been easier than dragging this “Bernie” around. Almost too much to believe- and yes, I find it kind of funny.
Posted by: jillmarie | February 25, 2012, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm