(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A man who allegedly committed an armed kidnapping and stole a car in Monument on Monday, Dec. 16 was eventually captured in Palmer Park in Colorado Springs after initially evading deputies.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), members of the U.S. Marshal Violent Offender Task Force of Southern Colorado were in Colorado Springs searching for Brandon Crozier, who was wanted on a parole violation. He was also a suspect in an armed kidnapping with a handgun in Monument on Monday, during which he also allegedly stole a car and escaped El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) deputies.
According to CSPD, the task force received information that Crozier was in Colorado Springs driving the car that had been stolen in Monument. Around 3:30 p.m., detectives spotted the stolen car being driven by Crozier near the intersection of Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Academy Boulevard. The Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Unit was called to assist in following the car.
CSPD said Crozier eventually parked the car at a Palmer Park trailhead in the 3300 block of Paseo Road. Multiple CSPD units responded, including K9s Kai, Kylo, and Zev, and two members of the EPSO SWAT team. The responding officers used armored vehicles to pin Crozier’s car, and ordered him to surrender.
CSPD said Crozier ignored officers’ commands and tried to ram the tactical vehicles, though he was unsuccessful. Tactical officers and SWAT team members used chemical irritants in the car while K9 units prevented Crozier from running into the park and endangering bystanders.
“This operation was a successful example of law enforcement agencies working together to apprehend a dangerous fugitive,” CSPD said. “Their coordination, strategic planning, and careful execution resulted in the safe capture of Crozier with minimal force used, preventing further harm to the public or officers.”
After being exposed to the chemical irritants, Crozier surrendered to officers and was treated on scene by medical personnel for exposure to the chemicals. A search of the stolen car revealed a gun in the driver’s floorboard along with a “large quantity of illegal narcotics.” Crozier was taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.
