From KUSA:
WHEAT RIDGE – Police say four schools are under lockdown Wednesday while they look for a suspect who they consider armed and dangerous.
Susan Medina of the Arvada Police Department says the incident began as an attempted traffic stop in Arvada. She says they were trying to stop an escapee from the Department of Corrections who was driving a Toyota Sequoia.
"In an effort to make a stop on the individual with a marked unit, the suspect fled the area and would not stop for police," said Medina. "There was a pursuit of the vehicle and during the course of that pursuit there were two separate accidents."
The first of those crashes occurred at 44th and Upham. Medina says an individual was injured in the crash, but the injuries were believed to be minor.
Medina says the second of those crashes was at 38th and Kendall in Wheat Ridge, where the suspect hit a red truck. The momentum of the suspect's vehicle sent it into a parking lot where it hit another vehicle, pinning that vehicle up against a tree, according to police.
The suspect then ditched his vehicle and fled the scene on foot, according to police.
Medina says an Arvada detective suffered minor injuries during the pursuit and a female who was with the suspect at the time was trapped inside the Sequoia. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to St. Anthony Central, but her condition was not immediately known.
The driver of the red truck was taken to the hospital, but the extent of that person's injuries were not immediately known.
Medina says police set up a perimeter and the Wheat Ridge SWAT team was called in to assist with the search.
"He was considered armed and dangerous and we felt compelled that we needed to do all that we could to take the individual into custody," said Medina. "So, the information that we have right now is that he is armed and dangerous."
Four schools were placed under lockdown due to the search: St. Peter and Paul, Stevens Elementary, Martensen Elementary and Wheat Ridge Middle School.
"If you have children at those facilities, it is on lockdown," said Medina. "If you have an ID you can pick them up, but at this point in time, if you could hold back until we sort of clear this area it would be very agreeable."
Police say the incident began in Arvada and ended in Wheat Ridge.
Police have closed 38th between Pierce and Kendall while they investigate.
"It's a pretty amazing scene right here and fortunately we have many officers on seen and a number of detective working in close contact with the Wheat Ridge Police Department," said Medina. "We're doing all we can to find the suspect and bring a very armed-and-dangerous man off the streets."
WHEAT RIDGE – Police say four schools are under lockdown Wednesday while they look for a suspect who they consider armed and dangerous.
Susan Medina of the Arvada Police Department says the incident began as an attempted traffic stop in Arvada. She says they were trying to stop an escapee from the Department of Corrections who was driving a Toyota Sequoia.
"In an effort to make a stop on the individual with a marked unit, the suspect fled the area and would not stop for police," said Medina. "There was a pursuit of the vehicle and during the course of that pursuit there were two separate accidents."
The first of those crashes occurred at 44th and Upham. Medina says an individual was injured in the crash, but the injuries were believed to be minor.
Medina says the second of those crashes was at 38th and Kendall in Wheat Ridge, where the suspect hit a red truck. The momentum of the suspect's vehicle sent it into a parking lot where it hit another vehicle, pinning that vehicle up against a tree, according to police.
The suspect then ditched his vehicle and fled the scene on foot, according to police.
Medina says an Arvada detective suffered minor injuries during the pursuit and a female who was with the suspect at the time was trapped inside the Sequoia. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to St. Anthony Central, but her condition was not immediately known.
The driver of the red truck was taken to the hospital, but the extent of that person's injuries were not immediately known.
Medina says police set up a perimeter and the Wheat Ridge SWAT team was called in to assist with the search.
"He was considered armed and dangerous and we felt compelled that we needed to do all that we could to take the individual into custody," said Medina. "So, the information that we have right now is that he is armed and dangerous."
Four schools were placed under lockdown due to the search: St. Peter and Paul, Stevens Elementary, Martensen Elementary and Wheat Ridge Middle School.
"If you have children at those facilities, it is on lockdown," said Medina. "If you have an ID you can pick them up, but at this point in time, if you could hold back until we sort of clear this area it would be very agreeable."
Police say the incident began in Arvada and ended in Wheat Ridge.
Police have closed 38th between Pierce and Kendall while they investigate.
"It's a pretty amazing scene right here and fortunately we have many officers on seen and a number of detective working in close contact with the Wheat Ridge Police Department," said Medina. "We're doing all we can to find the suspect and bring a very armed-and-dangerous man off the streets."
