Media Release Title Page

Sheriff’s Deputies Foil Early Morning Crime Spree

Around 6:00 A.M this morning, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from a convenience store in the 1500 block of Meadowbrook Parkway, located in unincorporated El Paso County. The caller reported an adult male outside the store acting erratically while in possession of a rifle.

As deputies approached, the suspect was standing next to a vehicle, upon seeing deputies he fled on foot.

A perimeter was established, and deputies began searching the surrounding area. During the search, the suspect attempted to steal another vehicle on Woolsey Heights. As deputies closed in, he fled through a creek bed toward the Claremont Ranch neighborhood.

Deputies apprehended the suspect on Dewhirst Drive and took him into custody without further incident.

Deputies discovered the male had been in possession of realistic-looking replicas of a rifle and a handgun.  The vehicle was determined to be a stolen vehicle from Lincoln County.

Through ongoing investigation, the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Nathaniel Strawder, was found to be connected to multiple vehicle break-ins and burglaries which occurred overnight in Lincoln County and eastern El Paso County.

Strawder was charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, 2nd Degree Burglary, 3 counts of Criminal Trespass Auto, Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.  He is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.

This remains an active investigation. Detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office are working to identify the rightful owners of the recovered stolen property.

Anyone with information related to this case or who believes they may have been a victim in El Paso County is asked to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 390-5555. If you reside in Lincoln County, please contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 743-2846.

###

Recent News Articles

Stolen Vehicle Recovered; Suspect Arrested on Multiple Charges

On September 30, 2025, at approximately 4:10 AM, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on Carl Adams Point and Space Village Drive involving a white Ford Ranger with fictitious registration. The driver, identified as 41-year-old Thomas Hobbs, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia, which was observed in plain view by deputies. Hobbs was removed

Read More »

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and TESSA Partner to Raise Awareness During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is proud to join forces with TESSA this October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month serves as an important reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence has on individuals, families, and communities—and the vital role awareness, prevention, and support play in reducing victims and saving lives. In 2024 alone, thousands of

Read More »

Stolen Vehicle Recovered, Parolee Arrested at Econolodge Hotel

On September 29, 2025, at approximately 10:29 PM, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies were conducting a routine patrol near the Econolodge Hotel in the 6700 block of Space Village Avenue in unincorporated El Paso County. Intelligence-driven policing efforts continue to identify this area as a high-intensity patrol location due to frequent criminal activity, including motor vehicle thefts, weapons

Read More »

Two Suspects Arrested in Connection to Vehicle Break-Ins on Red Baron Drive

On September 30, 2025, at approximately 1:45 AM, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center received a report of two individuals attempting to break into a vehicle in the 3000 block of Red Baron Drive in unincorporated El Paso County. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies responded and quickly coordinated a containment plan, entering the neighborhood from

Read More »

Contact Information

Phone
(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm