(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — Two Colorado Springs car theft suspects were arrested in Pueblo County on Wednesday, Feb. 26 after they tried to steal a tractor to escape law enforcement.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies were notified on Wednesday morning that a car reported stolen out of El Paso County was heading southbound on I-25 into Pueblo County. The suspects, later identified as 25-year-old Brandt Boden and 26-year-old Aleeyah Niknami of Colorado Springs, allegedly abandoned the stolen car at the Pinon Road exit north of Pueblo and walked westbound through a prairie.
Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero responded along with deputies and two K9s at approximately 5 a.m. to search the area where the car was abandoned, though the search was discontinued after several hours. Then, around 10 a.m., a 911 call was received that stated a man matching Boden’s description had driven a tractor through a fence at the Walker Ranch property.
A member of the Walker family reportedly saw Boden and approached him, and Boden got off the tractor and walked away with Niknami. The witness kept an eye on the suspects’ whereabouts as they called 911, and the sheriff and deputies once again responded. With the help of the Walker family, law enforcement was able to narrow down Boden and Niknami’s whereabouts and set up a perimeter.
“We want to thank the Walker family for their quick actions in contacting us while keeping the suspects in their sight which allowed us to locate and arrest them peacefully,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero. “We value these great relationships we have with our community members that allow us to work together to combat crime and hold accountable those responsible.”
Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office
Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office
With the assistance of the sheriff, deputies, members of the BNSF railway police, and a PCSO drone, the suspects were taken into custody without incident. During questioning, Boden admitted to stealing the car in El Paso County, and El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies responded to take him into custody. He faces several felony charges including second-degree criminal trespass, criminal mischief and first-degree motor vehicle theft.
Niknami was arrested on charges of second-degree motor vehicle theft (complicity) and second-degree criminal trespass, and was also arrested on an outstanding warrant. She has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail.
