(Highlands Ranch) On Monday night, patrol deputies responded to a report of an in-progress vehicle theft on Mill Vista Road in Highlands Ranch. Responding deputies quickly established a perimeter and began searching the area. The vehicle was located, occupied, in a parking garage on Mill Vista Road. Upon observing law enforcement in the area, the suspect vehicle attempted to back out of a parking space. The deputy activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and pulled forward to signal the suspect to stop. The suspect vehicle accelerated forward, scraping, and colliding with the front passenger side push bumper of the patrol vehicle. The vehicle ran a stop sign and sped away. Deputies pursued the vehicle for a short distance, and the suspect vehicle spun out of control and rolled backwards into a metal railing where it was pinned in place by deputies.
The suspect, later identified as Armon Chism (DOB: 05/15/1982), of Denver, fled from the vehicle, and a short foot pursuit was initiated by pursuing deputies. The suspect was placed into custody after a successful taser deployment. While conducting their investigation, deputies were able to establish probable cause that Chism was a suspect in an earlier vehicle pursuit of a stolen Hyundai Tucson at the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and County Line Road. Chism was found to be in possession of the stolen Hyundai ignition key and the vehicle was recovered nearby. Chism was booked into the Douglas County Jail for investigation of Motor Vehicle Theft, Vehicular Eluding, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), Protection Order Violation, and Criminal Impersonation.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said, “We will not allow criminals to victimize Douglas County residents. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community will continue to work tirelessly to protect our residents and their property. I am so proud of my deputies who responded quickly and didn’t give up until this suspect was in custody.”