Suspect in custody after exchange of gunfire with deputies

A vehicle theft suspect fired shots at the stolen vehicle’s owner, before exchanging gunfire with authorities on Thursday evening in Jefferson County, the sheriff’s office said.

The incident ended in the area of South Union Street and West Radcliff Avenue, in the Friendly Hills area, according to a tweet by the sheriff’s office.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the owner of a stolen vehicle reported being shot at by a suspect who stole the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The shots were fired in the area of U.S. 285 and Tiny Town. The vehicle, a flatbed pickup truck, was stolen earlier in the day from the 1900 block of Goddard Ranch Court. The owner spotted the truck on U.S. 285 and he followed the vehicle when shots were fired.

Shortly after the initial shots were fired, the suspects exchanged gunfire with a deputy, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies pursued the suspected thief northbound on U.S. 285 toward C-470. Two deputies laid out stop sticks just north of Colorado 8, but the driver veered off the highway onto an embankment. At that point the suspect fired multiple shots at two deputies, and deputies returned gunfire.

The driver of the stolen truck wound up in the Friendly Hills neighborhood, driving into Weaver Hollow Park, on now bare front rims. The suspect cut through a ballfield, endangering people who were in the park, the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect driver crashed into an unoccupied vehicle at Union and Radcliff, the release said. Two suspects jumped out of the stolen truck and fled on foot. They were quickly captured and arrested. A handgun was recovered from the cab of the stolen truck. No one was injured and an investigation is ongoing.

Kaelen Alberto Bernal, 24, was being held on investigation of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault of a peace officer, motor vehicle theft, eluding and possession of a weapon by a previous offender, among other possible charges, the sheriff’s office said.

The second person in the stolen truck was interviewed by investigators and released pending further investigation.