(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A woman has been arrested after leading Calhan Police on a chase over 100 mph on Highway 24, damaging police cars, and eventually leading law enforcement to a motel in Colorado Springs where a large amount of illicit drugs were found accessible to a toddler in the room.
According to the Calhan Police Department (CPD), around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, officers saw a red Buick SUV in Calhan driven by Layla Gallegos, who was wanted on multiple warrants, including two felonies and one misdemeanor. Gallegos also does not have a valid driver’s license, CPD said.
Once the Buick got onto Highway 24 heading west, police tried to pull Gallegos over, though Gallegos did not pull over and instead sped away from police. Gallegos allegedly led Calhan police on a chase in excess of 100 mph on Hwy 24, until she was slowed down by traffic east of Peyton.
Officers tried to perform a tactical intervention, otherwise known as a PIT maneuver but were unable to stop the car. In an attempt to PIT maneuver the car again, Gallegos’s car allegedly veered into the officer’s cars, causing damage to both. At that point, CPD elected to end the chase.
Following an investigation, on Sunday, Dec. 29, Gallegos was tracked to a motel near Platte Avenue and Peterson Road in Colorado Springs. Calhan officers were able to take Gallegos into custody without incident, and a search of the motel room revealed suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and illegal weapons, as well as over 50 items of drug paraphernalia.
A toddler was also found in the room, and CPD said the suspected illicit drugs were easily obtainable by the toddler.
Gallegos was booked into the El Paso County Jail on multiple charges, including:
First-degree motor vehicle theft
Two counts of third-degree motor vehicle theft
Two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
Identity theft
Two counts of criminal mischief to the amount of $5,000-$20,000
Pending traffic offenses, drug charges, weapons charges, and child abuse charges
Gallegos is due in El Paso County Court on Jan. 8.
