La Plata County Sheriff’s Office has detained a suspect after a reported burglary, auto theft and vehicle rollover that led to a foot chase early Friday north of Durango in the Animas Valley.
Stanford Sandoval, 36, of La Plata County was arrested in connection with the early morning episode, said Chris Burke, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
Burke said the burglary and theft of a motor vehicle occurred in the Hermosa area, north of Trimble Lane (County Road 252).
Dispatchers sent out a text message and voicemails notifying residents in the general area of an incident in progress.
“This is the La Plata County Sheriff Office asking residence (sic) in area of 7000 Block of County Road 203 to be aware of any suspicious activity,” the text alert said.
The alert described the suspect as a Hispanic male of medium height and a muscular build who was last seen wearing a tank top and jeans. It advised residents there was no need for a lockdown.
Burke stressed there is no danger to the public and said no injuries have been reported.
“When it’s in the early hours like that, people usually don’t answer the phone,” he said. “So a message is put out by the 911 dispatch center that alerts somebody of a possible threat in the area, just to notify and be on the lookout.”
A resident of the area told The Durango Herald they spotted LPCSO drones in the air around 4 a.m. assisting deputies in their search for the suspect.
Burke did not confirm or deny drones were deployed, but said when sheriff’s deputies are searching for a suspect on foot, they deploy all resources at their disposal.
He said the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released once an arrest is made.
cburney@durangoherald.com
