Colorado Springs police saw a hit-and-run, a stabbing via machete and two pedestrian-vehicle collisions last week, among other incidents, with law enforcement making 355 arrests in El Paso County.
From March 15 to 21, the Colorado Springs Police Department posted 10 blotter entries to its public database of incidents approved for release. Here is a recap of those entries:
On Wednesday, police responded to the 5800 block of North Academy Boulevard, where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the street. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash and no arrests were made.
On Thursday, a pedestrian on a scooter was crossing the street at Fountain Boulevard and Circle Drive when they were hit by a car. The pedestrian remains hospitalized in serious condition. Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in the crash.
On Friday, just after 1 a.m., police responded to an in-progress domestic violence-related assault. The reporting party told police that their husband struck them with a firearm and was actively assaulting them. The suspect fled their home just before officers arrived, and police conducted an “extensive search,” but the suspect was not located. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been announced.
Also on Friday, a woman was riding an electric dirt bike along South Academy Boulevard near Pace Drive when she was hit by a sport utility vehicle, which sped off after the collision. The dirt biker was hospitalized with “serious” injuries and 23-year-old Yamiel Navarrete-Garcia was arrested after being identified as the SUV’s owner.
Later on Friday night, police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 3600 block of Austin Bluffs Parkway, where a victim was stabbed in the neck by a machete during a disturbance in a parking lot. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been announced.
Other incidents at a glance
On Sunday, March 15, police arrested 42-year-old Eric Vasquez, who was identified as the primary suspect in an investigation into a string of garage burglaries along the Front Range.
Also on Sunday, police responded to the 6200 block of Barnes Road to a report of shots fired, when they found shell casings at a residence that was fired into, causing water damage to the building. A suspect, Alaric Von Royeaux, was arrested about an hour after the incident.
On Tuesday, just before 5:30 a.m., a victim woke up to at least one suspect breaking into a vehicle in the 6900 block of Granite Peak Drive. After the victim confronted the suspect, they fled the scene. The victim said they heard at least two gunshots as the suspect’s vehicle drove away. No arrests have been announced.
On Friday, police arrested John Espinoza, 25, after being located in a stolen Hyundai, taken from the 100 block of Swope Avenue. Police say Espinoza stole a license plate from another parked vehicle, replacing it with the stolen Hyundai’s. He faces charges of motor vehicle and license plate thefts.
Also on Friday, a juvenile male was arrested and then placed on a mental health hold by medical personnel after allegedly pulling a knife on his mother and a third party during a family disturbance.