Fountain Police Department Release:
On February 2nd, 2023, at approximately 4:00 PM, Fountain Police Department’s Directed Investigation Community Engagement(D.I.C.E.) was asked to assist the Department of Corrections Parole Unit with locating a known carjacking suspect from the Pueblo area who had active felony warrants. The vehicle was believed to be northbound on I-25 from Pueblo. Several law enforcement agencies in the region were assisting with locating the vehicle that was determined to be stolen. The vehicle tracking led officers into Colorado Springs jurisdiction near the Citadel Mall, at which point Colorado Springs Police Department Tactical Unit began to assist in locating the suspects.
At approximately 5:30 PM, the stolen vehicle was seen by officers near Lowes near North Academy and Platte Avenue. Because of the reckless actions of the suspect driving the vehicle, officers were unable to safely maintain the visual contact. It is believed the suspects were attempting to steal another vehicle at Lowe’s, but officers were unable to confirm that information due to losing visual contact with the vehicle.
At 7:15 PM, the vehicle was located again, southbound on I-25 heading towards the City of Fountain. The vehicle was eventually tracked to the area of Highway 85 and Alegre Circle where Fountain Police Department (FPD) located the vehicle occupied by three suspects. Officers attempted several tactical vehicle interventions to stop the vehicle (TVI) but were unsuccessful. The vehicle was followed south
on Highway 85 through the City of Fountain where the suspect vehicle entered the interstate traveling south in the northbound lanes. Due to the dangerous actions of the suspects, officers disengaged and stopped following the vehicle, terminating the pursuit due to excessive speeds and the extreme risk to the public.
Officers attempted to prevent northbound traffic on I-25 at mile marker 126 when they learned the vehicle made a U-turn and was traveling north in the northbound lanes. Officers that were set up on stationary, perimeter positions observed the vehicle pull into the Love’s Travel Plaza, located in the 5500 block of Travel Plaza Drive. Officers witnessed the suspects attempt to commit another armed, carjacking of a community member in the Love’s parking lot.
Based on numerous violent felonies continuing to be committed and the extreme risk to the public, officers were forced to reengage the suspects and attempt to apprehend them to prevent the loss of life or serious bodily injury to the public. At approximately 7:45 PM, officers continued to pursue the suspect vehicle northbound on I-25.
The suspect vehicle exited I-25 at South Academy, mile marker 135, where a tire deflation device was used to disable the vehicle. The vehicle was partially disabled but continued to elude officers eastbound on South Academy. FPD Officers performed a TVI on the suspect vehicle on South Academy just east of Hartford Street. The driver jumped out of the vehicle and began to run from officers on foot.
While officers were trying to apprehend the suspect, an FPD Officer fell over the bridge and landed 40 feet below. The suspect attempted to jump off the bridge to elude officers at which time the officers grabbed him to prevent his escape and fall. As the suspect was hanging over the bridge he repeatedly stated, “let me go, I want to die.” The officers were able to pull him up to safety and place him into custody without incident. A total of three suspects were taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.
The two male suspects, listed below, were arrested on active felony warrants along with additional felony charges related to this incident. The female listed below was arrested on numerous felony charges. It is believed at the conclusion of the investigation there will be additional charges filed. One of suspects, who was the driver of the stolen vehicle, was later identified as 31-year-old Devon Bobian of Pueblo. The other two suspects, who were occupants of the stolen vehicle, were identified as 28-year-old Danisha Pacheco of Pueblo, and 37-year-old Anthony Vallejos also of Pueblo.
The Fountain Police Officer injured in this incident is Officer Julian Becerra. Officer Becerra has been employed as sworn officer with the Fountain Police Department for 4 ½ years and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a K9 Officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Julian and his family during this difficult time and we pray for a speedy recovery.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is lead investigative agency in this case. If you were a witness or have video footage of the incident we ask you to please contact our Tip Line at 719-520-7777.