From Center Police Chief Dale Meek:
On Friday, May 27, 2022, the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Gunnison Police Department Dispatch of a dark colored BMW 328i with a temporary tag that was involved in some thefts and had led Gunnison officers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit. Gunnison stopped pursuing the vehicle but solicited assistance from the Saguache County S.O. in locating the vehicle.
At 1747 hours (5:47pm), Cpl Hansen of the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division spotted the vehicle on US 285. Cpl Hansen initiated a traffic stop on the BMW and the vehicle sped off. A vehicle pursuit was initiated as the BMW turned west on County Road X. Cpl Hansen chased the vehicle down the mostly dirt roads in the County Road 42 area. The vehicle drove recklessly but with no other traffic on the roads, Cpl Hansen continued his pursuit.
Center Police Officers responded to the La Garita area as the vehicle was headed toward the community. Stop sticks were set up and multiple patrol vehicles including Saguache County Captain Wilson, Center Police Sgt. Fresquez, Officer AJ Fresquez and Chief Meek arrived in the area.
The suspect entered the La Garita area with no tires on the front of the BMW and the rims in various states of deterioration as metal pieces were breaking off of the wheels. The BMW drove along fences and off the roadway to avoid stop sticks deflating the remaining rear tires. As the BMW entered the paved portion of County Road 42 at the County Road G curve, it was decided to use a a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) to cause the suspect vehicle to spin out and end the pursuit before the vehicle could make it back to US 285 and jeopardize residents and drivers on the heavily traveled road.
The TVI maneuver successfully stopped the suspect vehicle. The driver, Shylo Holden (27 years), and the passenger, Troy McGibbons (28 years), were taken into custody. Multiple confirmed stolen items were recovered in addition to numerous other suspected stolen items. Narcotics were recovered in the suspect vehicle. Both suspects were transported to Rio Grande Hospital as a precaution as it was suspected both parties had ingested narcotics.
One Saguache Patrol vehicle was damaged as it went off the road to avoid other cars while responding to the area. The Center Police vehicle used in the TVI had very minor damage. There were no injuries to any deputies, officers, residents, motorists or the suspects.
As the investigation into the stolen property is ongoing, the exact charges for the suspects are pending and all other information related to this incident will be released at a later date.
