Durango police have announced pending charges against two suspects – a 32-year-old Bayfield man and a 32-year-old Durango woman – who were arrested at gunpoint last week for allegedly stealing a vehicle.
Authorities first received a report of a stolen 2016 Jeep Renegade around 9:30 a.m. Jan. 22. Two days later, Durango police were alerted of two people in a vehicle who matched the description breaking into and stealing items from a trailer and pickup truck near Mercy Village Drive.
Around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 26, a Durango police officer spotted a Jeep Renegade unoccupied near the 2900 block of Aspen Drive. It appeared the Jeep had been spray painted, but its original color, matching the description of the stolen vehicle, could still be seen.
The Durango Police Department said in a statement authorities ran the license plate and confirmed it was the stolen Jeep.
The officer monitored the vehicle while backup was called and set up a perimeter. The Jeep took off south on Aspen Drive and Durango police officers pulled the car over.
Cmdr. Ray Shupe said previously that because stealing a vehicle is a felony offense, officers conducted a “felony stop,” in which they took the suspects into custody at gunpoint.
The driver was identified as Shayne Williams-O’Connor. He was arrested for an active warrant, as well as on suspicion of aggravated motor vehicle theft and criminal trespass, both Class 5 felonies.
A passenger identified as Jessica Montoya was also arrested for an active warrant.
jromeo@durangoherald.com