(CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo.) — The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested a man with the help of Salida Police officers and a Saguache County deputy.
On Sunday, March 30, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received an assistance request from Saguache County, The request asked that CCSO look for and try to apprehend 48-year-old Paul Davis, who was likely intoxicated and was wanted on a felony domestic violence no-bond warrant out of Saguache County.
Using a department-owned stationary license plate reader, a Salida officer found Davis at a Walmart in Salida. A traffic stop was attempted, but Davis refused to stop and attempted to elude officers as he sped away at a very high rate of speed, according to CCSO.
Davis took off westbound on Highway 50 towards Poncha Springs, where he exceeded 100 miles per hour in a posted 35 mph zone. Davis struck a speed sign, a traffic post, and a fire hydrant as he attempted to turn southbound on Highway 285 up on Poncha Pass. At that time, due to the risk to the public, the Salida Police Department terminated the pursuit.
When the chase was terminated, a Saguache County deputy arrived in the area with Salida officers and Chaffee County deputies then a short time later, the Saguache County deputy found Davis’ disabled car on the side of the road. His vehicle had sustained significant damage while he attempted to elude officers. Davis had reportedly left on foot.
Davis was later found by deputies and officers, and he was then taken into custody.
He is currently being held in the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office detention facility for the no-bond felony domestic violence warrant out of Saguache County.
Davis is also being held on a $500 bond for the Salida Police Department charge of Felony Vehicular Eluding and $1,000 bond for the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office charges of DUI, Open Alcoholic Container in a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Report an Accident, Reckless Driving, Speeding 40 miles Per hour or More over the Posted Speed Limit.
“I am proud of all officers involved,” said Sheriff Andy Rohrich. “Their investigation abilities, tactics, and fast decision making ultimately led to getting a dangerous driver and felony level wanted party off the road without loss of life or injury to the suspect, officers, and/ or public. This event involved multiple officers from multiple jurisdictions and demonstrated how the cross-training we do with other agencies has paid off.”
