Sheriff’s deputies fire at vehicle, chase fleeing suspect during rush hour

Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies converged during rush hour Wednesday near Bowles Avenue and Chase Street after a police shooting and chase with a “suspect at large.”

A deputy fired at a tan Lincoln Navigator that had rammed patrol vehicles before the driver fled, officials said. No injuries were reported. Jefferson County officials said in a Twitter posting that the Navigator had heavy side damage and that the suspect was moving north toward Grant Ranch.

At 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, deputies had responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 5000 block of West Brittany Place, the sheriff’s office said in an afternoon news release. A man was “slumped over the steering wheel” of the Lincoln.

“Deputies surrounded the vehicle with three patrol cars, exited their vehicles, and attempted to make contact with the person inside,” the release said. “The man behind the wheel woke up and immediately attempted to drive away, ramming all three patrol cars in the process. The suspect drove straight toward a deputy, who fired shots at the vehicle, but the suspect was able to flee.”

The suspect vehicle was found abandoned in the 6000 block of West Prentice Avenue, Denver, the sheriff’s office said in a 9:58 a.m. tweet. Doorbell security footage from a home nearby showed a heavy-set man with facial hair, wearing dark clothing, walking away from the area pulling a blue, carry- on size, rolling suitcase. The suspect remains at large.

The 1st Judicial District Law Enforcement Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the police shooting.