COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Multiple agencies were involved in a high-speed chase Thursday evening that led to multiple road closures across Colorado Springs.
The Fountain Police Department released the timeline of events that led to a chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies across southern Colorado.
The Fountain Police Department was tasked to assist The Department of Corrections Patrol Unit in locating a carjacking suspect from Pueblo with active warrants out for their arrest.
Fountain Police and other agencies tracked the stolen vehicle with suspects northbound on I-25 until passing into Colorado Springs Police Department's jurisdiction where CSPD located the vehicle near the Citadel Mall.
At 7:30 pm Thursday evening the vehicle was located traveling southbound on I-25 heading toward the City of Fountain. The vehicle was tracked by Fountain Police to Highway 85 and Alegre Circle where officers attempted to stop the vehicle and apprehend the suspects but were unsuccessful.
Officers continued to follow the vehicle in Fountain until the pursuit was terminated as the vehicle began heading southbound in the northbound lanes of I-25 at excessive speeds and causing extreme risk to continue the pursuit.
Officers attempted to stop the flow of Northbound traffic on I-25 at mile marker 126 when they learned the suspect had made a u-turn traveling northbound on I-25.
Officers set up at stationary perimeter viewing positions and saw the suspect vehicle enter the Loves Travel Plaza at Mesa Ridge Highway. The officers witnessed the suspects attempt to steal another vehicle from a person located at the Loves Travel Plaza.
Around 7:45 pm officers re-engaged in the chase on northbound I-25, as the suspects continued to commit violent crimes and posed a significant threat to the public.
The vehicle exited I-25 at South Academy where a tire deflation device partially disabled the vehicle. The vehicle still continued to elude officers eastbound on South Academy.
Fountain Police Officers were able to disable the vehicle on South Academy just east of Hartford Street when the driver exited the vehicle and ran from officers on foot. During the chase, Officer Julian Becerra fell over the bridge landing 40 feet below. Becerra was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment.
BREAKING: Fountain Police tell KOAA an officer has been injured after a high speed chase.
— Maggie Bryan KOAA (@MaggieB_TV) February 3, 2023
A helicopter has arrived on the scene here at S Academy near I-25 & Drennan.@KOAA pic.twitter.com/OhFaZBmhYw
The driver of the vehicle attempted to jump off the bridge while running from the police, but officers were able to grab him before falling. Officers stated the suspect repeatedly
said, “let me go, I want to die,” before pulling them to safety and putting him in custody.
The three suspects have been identified as:
31-year-old Devon Bobian of Pueblo
28-year-old Danisha Pacheco of Pueblo
37-year-old Anthony Vallejos of Pueblo
Devon Bobian and Anthony Vallejos were arrested on multiple active felony warrants, along with multiple felony charges related to the chase. Danisha Pacheco was arrested on multiple felony charges related to the chase.
Fountain Police officer Julian Becerra has been a sworn officer with the Fountain Police Department for 4 1/2 years and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a K9 Officer.
The officer is still in critical condition Friday afternoon but he is stable and resting with his family at his side according to Lisa Schneider Public Information Officer for the Fountain Police Department.
The department will be holding a press conference releasing more information about the chase Friday afternoon.
Donations can be made to the Becerra family by following this link. When completing the online donation form, please check the “Designated” box and enter Julian Becerra in the “Designated Officer Name” field.
This is a developing story and News5 will continue to update this article as more information is learned.
Editors Note: We first reported that Officer Becerra fell 30 ft from a bridge Thursday evening as a result of the chase. News5 has since learned that the fall was actually 40 ft.
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