ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — A suspect in a robbery in Brighton earlier in the day has been arrested in Adams County after allegedly shooting at police and leading them on a pursuit, authorities said Thursday.
The Brighton Police Department said this case started shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, when officers responded to Murphy's Express off E. Bromley Lane after receiving reports that a suspect had approached a man at a fuel pump, showed his firearm and tried to steal the man's car. The man refused and during their altercation "a shot was fired," police said. The suspect fled on a bicycle. The victim had a minor injury.
Police were able to gather a description of the suspect. A few blocks from Murphy Express, they found evidence that was connected with the suspect, but no other details on that were released.
Shortly afterward, police learned that a person had stolen a vehicle from a business near Highway 85 and W. Bridge Street. When officers spoke with witnesses, their descriptions of the suspect matched the suspect from Murphy's Express. One witness, who knew the suspect, provided information about where he may have gone, police said.
When officers found the stolen car, they saw the suspect, identified as Jaime Benavidez, inside. They tried to stop him, but he drove off and led officers on a pursuit while firing several rounds at police, the department said. Multiple police vehicles were struck but no officers were injured.
Police returned fire and wounded Benavidez.
The pursuit ended along the 10600 block of Brighton Road close to the interchange of Highway 85 and E. 104th Avenue. The suspect was taken into custody and brought to a hospital.
Anybody with information on this case is asked to contact the police department's tip line at 303-655-8740.
The Adams County Critical Incident Response Team will investigate this shooting.
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