Shots Fired During Dangerous Denver Pursuit

DENVER --

Jefferson County deputies rammed a pickup truck fleeing from a construction site after they said the driver fired a shot at them.

The incident began at 11:45 p.m. in a construction site near Evergreen Parkway and Interstate 70.

A deputy spotted the pickup leaving the site and a check of the license plate revealed the pickup was stolen during an armed robbery in Topeka, Kan. The occupants of the truck were described as armed and dangerous by Kansas authorities.

Deputies said the driver shot at them and then drove on to I-70, heading east. The pickup exited at Lookout Mountain then crossed the bridge and headed west on I-70, reaching speeds of 100 mph.

Spike strips were deployed in one lane of I-70 and the pickup had its passenger-side tires deflated as a result.

After the pickup exited the interstate at exit 238 and one deputy performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to force the vehicle into a spin. A second deputy rammed the pickup head on, to prevent the suspect from escaping.

Deputies arrested the driver and recovered a handgun from the vehicle.

The suspect was identified as Jacob Anthony Avila, 22. He is being held for investigation of criminal attempted murder of a police officer and on charges from Kansas.

Avila and the deputy who rammed the pickup were treated and released at St. Anthony's Central Hospital.

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