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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — Three Grand Junction police officers were fired after an investigation into allegations that they destroyed tents and sliced bicycle tires belonging to homeless people living near the Colorado River.

Police Chief John Camper said Thursday that a department investigation concluded the officers' actions had "no useful law enforcement purpose." Camper says the officers' conduct occurred while they were trying to find a man who a detective wanted to interview for a metal theft case last month.

The officers who were fired are 35-year-old Phillip Van Why, 31-year-old Justin Roberts, and 28-year-old Joseph Mulcahy.

Camper says Mesa County prosecutors will not pursue criminal charges, in part because of a lack of witnesses.

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