06/18/15 Monte Vista, CO – Bank Robbery Suspect Steals Police Cruiser – Police Fired Two Shotgun Blasts And State Trooper Fired His Handgun Three Times – Chase – Abandoned Police Car – Arrested

June 18, 2015

denverpost.com

A bank robbery suspect was arrested early Wednesday in southwest Colorado after authorities say he pointed a handgun at officers, stole a marked police car and led deputies on a high-speed chase.

Officials say Joseph Gutierrez also stole a second vehicle and was taken into custody after being tased after he was found hiding in a wood pile.

Gutierrez is being held on suspicion of a laundry list of charges, including felony menacing, trespassing and motor vehicle theft. The Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office says Gutierrez is suspected in a Monday robbery in Del Norte.

Investigators tracked Gutierrez on a warrant in the bank robbery to a Monte Vista motel where they say the chase began at about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. The sheriff’s office said as authorities surrounded the motel, Gutierrez fled and stole the police vehicle.

The sheriff’s office says Gutierrez had more than $6,000 in cash on him at the time of his arrest. A 9mm pistol Gutierrez allegedly pointed at officers was also found in the police vehicle authorities say the suspect stole.

A Monte Vista police officer fired two shotgun blasts at the stolen police vehicle as Gutierrez fled, the sheriff’s office said. Additionally, a Colorado State Patrol trooper fired his handgun three times during the early part of the chase.

No injuries were reported in the incident.