A 47-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after what deputies describe as a high-speed pursuit that started in Evans and wrapped up in Greeley, according to the Weld County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say the chase wound through residential streets and past traffic controls before the car finally stopped and the driver took off on foot. Authorities report no serious injuries and say the case remains under active investigation.
How The Chase Unfolded
According to the Weld County Sheriff's Office, a patrol deputy first tried to pull the driver over after seeing a Chrysler Crossfire hop onto the sidewalk skirt of the roundabout at 47th Avenue and 37th Street in Evans. Instead of stopping, deputies say the driver punched the gas, ran a red light, drove into oncoming lanes, and hit an estimated top speed of about 74 miles per hour while heading into Greeley.
The sheriff's office says the car eventually became disabled in the 1200 block of 9th Street. The driver, identified by the agency as 47-year-old Antonio Aldama, allegedly bailed out and ran but was caught a short time later with help from Greeley police and other assisting agencies.
Charges And What They Mean
The sheriff's office says Aldama was arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses, several of which carry serious potential penalties under Colorado law.
Vehicular eluding - defined as knowingly fleeing a pursuing peace officer while driving recklessly - is a class 5 felony and can be upgraded if someone is hurt, according to Justia. Simple eluding of an officer is treated as a traffic misdemeanor under state law, per Shouse Law.
Allegations such as menacing or assault that involve threatening or injuring an officer are handled under separate criminal statutes, including menacing provisions detailed in Justia.
Booking And The Investigation
The sheriff's office says Aldama was evaluated and medically cleared at a local hospital before being booked into the Weld County Jail. Booking staff was not able to obtain a recent mugshot because he was uncooperative, according to the agency.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office publicly thanked the Greeley, Evans, and Garden City police departments for their assistance and reiterated that the investigation is active. The office also stressed that "all charges are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
Prosecutors will now review the case to decide whether to file formal charges. Any filings and upcoming court dates will appear in public court records in the coming days. This story will be updated as additional official information becomes available.
