NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – Interstate 25 was closed for over three hours overnight after a Pueblo man eluded law enforcement in two different counties. He was wanted on several felony warrants as well as for hitting a Colorado Springs Police Department car before entering Douglas County.
On 12-06-2022, around 10:23 pm, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information from Colorado Springs Police Department that a white SUV, driven by Eric Morales DOB 042195, was entering Douglas County. Morales was wanted on several felony warrants and had just hit one of their patrol vehicles, driven by an officer who was attempting to stop him. Information was also relayed that there was an adult female, known to Morales, and a small child, inside the vehicle and that they may be there unwillingly.
Deputies spotted the vehicle northbound on I-25 at Happy Canyon. The driver, later positively identified as Morales, refused to pull over when deputies attempted a traffic stop. Stop sticks were deployed successfully around Lincoln Ave, but he still refused to stop. Deputies were able to get the car stopped around County Line Road. The highway was closed at this time. The adult female and child were able to get out of the car safely. Morales refused to get out of the vehicle and would not comply with multiple orders to put his hands up and give up. Morales made several indications that he was armed and would not comply. The SWAT team was called in and negotiators began to talk with Morales. He was eventually taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Detention Facility where he was booked in on charges of 2nd Degree Kidnapping F4, Vehicular Eluding F5, Criminal Mischief F5, Violation of Protection Order M1, Reckless Driving MT2, Child Abuse M2, Resisting Arrest M2, and Reckless Endangerment M2. He was also booked on several out-of-county warrants. Currently, Morales is being held on a no-bond hold.
This is still an open investigation, and no more information will be released at this time.
