Douglas County authorities say 43-year-old Daniel Reynaldo Tolentino is the man wounded in an officer-involved shooting that followed an armed carjacking and high-speed chase stretching from Highlands Ranch to Littleton. The trouble started Monday night when investigators say a driver was robbed at gunpoint while washing a car, and Tolentino then led deputies on a pursuit that ended in a Littleton mobile-home park. Deputies returned fire after shots were allegedly fired at them, and Tolentino was hit. A Douglas County deputy suffered a graze wound and was treated and released.
How the chase unfolded
Deputies were alerted to an armed carjacking near South Broadway and Panama Drive and used Flock camera footage to track the stolen vehicle within minutes, as reported by the Denver Gazette. The chase cut through multiple Highlands Ranch neighborhoods before officers used a tactical vehicle intervention to pin the car near County Line Road and Santa Fe Drive. A passenger in the car, who was not tied to the carjacking, was taken into custody on outstanding warrants.
Investigators say the driver fired at deputies through the windshield and rammed a deputy's cruiser, which prompted an officer to return fire. Tolentino suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the hand and was taken to Littleton Adventist for treatment, while the injured deputy was rushed to a hospital and later released, according to CBS Colorado.
Charges and investigation
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Daniel Reynaldo Tolentino, 43, and said he was booked into the Arapahoe County Jail on counts that include attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated robbery, felony menacing, and vehicular eluding, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
"It is a miracle that our deputies were not killed," Sheriff Darren Weekly said, praising deputies who "stayed in the fight" during what he called a dangerous encounter. Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens also thanked neighboring agencies for their backup, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.
Video and what's next
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office released video from the end of the pursuit, and local station KDVR reported that the clip shows deputies boxing in the suspect vehicle, followed by an exchange of gunfire. Officials say the Littleton Police Department is leading the criminal investigation, while the 18th Judicial District's Critical Incident Response Team is reviewing the officer-involved shooting, as reported by the Denver Gazette.
Prosecutors will review the evidence as the case moves forward. Anyone with video or information is urged to contact the Littleton Police Department's non-emergency line. The Littleton Police Department news page lists current contact details and updates.
