Colorado Springs police saw gun violence, car crashes and burglaries last week, among other incidents, with law enforcement making 311 arrests in El Paso County.
From March 1 to 7, the Colorado Springs Police Department posted 13 blotter entries to its public database of incidents approved for release. Here is a recap of those entries:
On Sunday, March 1, police responded to a disturbance at a parking lot in the 3700 block of Astrozon Boulevard. When they arrived, they heard gunshots nearby. Officers contacted a vehicle leaving the parking lot and found a person with a serious, life-threatening gunshot wound. Two suspects were arrested and their identities were not released, pending investigation.
On Monday morning, a vehicle crashed into a laundromat in the 600 block of South Circle Drive, temporarily closing the newly opened business. The driver was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and police say they believe impairment and speed were factors in the crash.
On Thursday, just after 3 a.m., police responded to a medical call for service in the 4200 block of Date Street, where they found a deceased female in a residence. The Police Department’s homicide unit assumed control of the investigation, and police say all parties are accounted for, but ask anyone with information to call 719-444-7000, or report anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 719-634-7867.
Also on Thursday, a juvenile victim was taken to a hospital with a serious, but not life-threatening gunshot wound after being shot by an “acquaintance” in the 4200 block of Morley Drive. Police say they have not identified the suspect.
On Friday, a male suspect robbed a gas station in the 5900 block of Dublin Boulevard, using a handgun to steal vapes from behind the cashier counter. The suspect is described as a White male in his late teens or early 20s and around 5-foot-7. He was wearing all black clothing with a hoodie over his head, a mask, reflective glasses and a backpack, which he put the stolen vapes in before fleeing on foot. No arrests have been announced.
Other incidents at a glance:
On Wednesday, a school near the 4300 block of Austin Bluffs Parkway was placed under lockdown after a man dressed in tactical gear pointed a cigarette lighter in the shape of a handgun at a shopper in a busy shopping center. Police found that the man did not have an actual firearm in his possession.
Also on Wednesday, police arrested a suspect in a Feb. 17 robbery, in which the suspect, Rakeen Ishmar, allegedly stole cash, lottery tickets and a landline phone from a business in the 1800 block of North Circle Drive.
On Thursday, police allegedly saw 35-year-old Shawn Adkins driving a pickup truck stolen on Feb. 28 from the 300 block of South Cedar Drive. When they attempted to stop him, he eluded police and then abandoned the vehicle. Adkins was found one block away from the abandoned vehicle and faces motor vehicle theft and felony eluding charges.
Also on Thursday, two motorcyclists were taken to a hospital with critical injuries after striking a pickup truck that turned right on red near U.S. Highway 24 and 21st Street. Police say impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, but speed is being investigated.
On Friday, police assisted the El Paso County and Custer County sheriff’s offices in the arrest of Jeremy Hockett, who faces several charges, including weapons and narcotic-related charges, possession of an explosive or incendiary device, possessing un-serialized firearms and possession of schedule 2 narcotics.
Also on Friday, a male suspect was seen driving a vehicle stolen from the 100 block of Coleridge Avenue. When police attempted to contact him, he fled on foot but was “quickly apprehended.” Jose Garcia-Ruiz, 27, was arrested, and police believe he is the suspect in other burglaries, and allegedly uses credit cards found in stolen vehicles. He faces several charges, including five counts of identity theft.
Also on Friday, police issued a crash alert status due to road conditions. The status was lifted Saturday afternoon. Crash alert status directs drivers who are involved in minor accidents, without impairment or injury, to report incidents online.