(COLORADO SPRINGS) – Three people were arrested Tuesday, March 28 in connection with several stolen cars, after police say they had to pin the suspects’ car and use a chemical irritant to make them surrender.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), as part of an expanded carjacking investigation, the Motor Vehicle Theft Unit (MVT) as well as the Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) arrested three people Tuesday in the 5500 block of Travel Plaza Drive.
The CSPD said detectives observed two stolen cars, in which the three suspects were located. The TEU pinned one of the suspect cars with its own tactical vehicles, but the suspect attempted to exit the pin. The suspect ignored several commands to stop officers, CSPD said.
Due to the suspects actions and refusal to comply with officers, CSPD said a chemical irritant was used to encourage the suspect to surrender. The suspect left the car after using the irritant, CSPD said, and was taken into custody with only minor injuries.
Following the arrests, CSPD said detectives conducted interviews, solved 17 motor vehicle theft cases and led to more stolen vehicles being recovered in the near future.
Jonathan Akes, 29, William Basulto, 30, and Katie Thomas, 51, were arrested in connection with the carjackings. The CSPD said all three are “prolific motor vehicle theft suspects” and two of them had warrants for violating probation.
