“Pueblo West Arrest: Toniley Perez and Chad Cortez Arrested After Stolen Car Incident”

Pueblo West Car Theft Ends in Arrests After Suspects Flee from Deputies

(PUEBLO WEST, Colo.) — Two individuals were apprehended on Thursday, Jan. 26 following an incident involving a stolen car. The suspects backed the vehicle into a Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) patrol car, then proceeded to drive over a curb and landscaping in an attempt to evade deputies.

The Incident

According to PCSO, deputies received a call just before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday regarding a man and woman who were reportedly following someone in a car. Responding deputies located the suspects inside a 2016 black Ford Focus parked at a Dollar Tree in the 1000 block of Market Plaza in Pueblo West. The area is situated just northeast of Highway 50 and Purcell Boulevard.

Escape Attempt

Upon arrival, PCSO deputies activated their emergency lights and positioned their patrol car behind the suspects’ vehicle. They then issued verbal commands to the suspects. In response, the driver, identified as 29-year-old Toniley Perez, put the car in reverse and intentionally collided with the patrol car. Perez proceeded to drive over a curb and some landscaping, heading eastbound on Holiday Drive. However, during this escape attempt, two of the car’s tires were deflated as a result of hitting the curb.

The Chase

Despite the deflated tires, Perez did not stop and continued to drive over the westbound lanes of Highway 50. The pursuit eventually led them eastbound towards the City of Pueblo. However, Perez’s attempt to flee came to an abrupt end when she crashed the stolen vehicle into the center median near the intersection of Highway 50 and Pueblo Boulevard. Both Perez and her passenger, identified as 44-year-old Chad Cortez, abandoned the scene and fled on foot.

Apprehension

Deputies arriving at the crash site swiftly apprehended Cortez, who was found not far from the scene. Perez, on the other hand, was later located walking in a field south of Highway 50 and taken into custody. It was later discovered that the car they were in had been reported stolen, including the license plates.

Arrest and Charges

PCSO confirmed that Chad Cortez, the passenger, was arrested on three outstanding warrants. Toniley Perez, the driver, was apprehended on charges of Vehicular Eluding, Aggravated Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief, Obstruction of Government Operations, and Having Fictitious License Plates. Both individuals were subsequently booked into the Pueblo County Jail.