On August 17, 2026, at approximately 5:00 AM, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a call for service reporting a burglary in progress at a business in the 6800 block of Space Village Avenue in unincorporated El Paso County.
As Patrol deputies responded, dispatchers received additional information indicating the suspect was breaking windows at multiple adjacent businesses and entering the buildings. Gunshots were also heard. The suspect attempted to drive a BMW SUV through the walls of one of the businesses.
Upon arrival, Patrol deputies reviewed available video footage and obtained a description of the suspect. Deputies confirmed the suspect had fired a handgun, and multiple spent shell casings were recovered from one of the vandalized businesses.
Moments later, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received additional calls for service reporting several businesses in the 950 block of N. Powers Boulevard had been burglarized. Spent shell casings similar to those recovered from the business on Space Village Avenue were found at one of the affected businesses.
While deputies were investigating the burglaries, they were dispatched at approximately 6:30 AM to a suspicious incident near the 6800 block of Skuna Drive in the Lorson Ranch area of unincorporated El Paso County. The reporting party advised a BMW SUV with significant front-end damage had pulled into the neighborhood. The driver was reportedly wearing a black ski mask.
Patrol deputies arrived and confirmed the vehicle was the same vehicle believed to be involved in the earlier burglaries. Evidence believed to be related to the burglaries was visible inside the vehicle through the passenger-side door.
Deputies established containment in the area and began making announcements for anyone inside to exit. An uninvolved adult female and minor, and a juvenile male matching the suspect’s description exited the residence.
Deputies detained the juvenile male without incident.
A subsequent safety search of the residence and vehicle produced evidence consistent with the reported burglaries. Deputies also determined the BMW SUV had been reported stolen.
Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to the scene and are conducting an in-depth investigation into the burglaries and related incidents at the various businesses.
The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and charged with the following offenses:
-First-Degree Burglary
-Motor Vehicle Theft
-Prohibited Use of a Firearm
-Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
-Theft
-Criminal Mischief
-Reckless Endangerment
“This incident is a great example of what can happen when our deputies act quickly, and our community remains vigilant,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “My deputies responded quickly, gathered critical information, identified the suspect, and worked to safely take him into custody. I want to recognize the business owners and community members who reported suspicious activity and provided information to our Office. Their awareness and willingness to speak up played an important role in helping us locate the suspect and recover evidence. This is exactly the kind of partnership we want between our Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve.”
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.