Deputy stops to help with stalled car, driver arrested
Dec 16, 2024
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 15 after he ran from a stalled SUV when a Pueblo County deputy stopped to help.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), around 1:45 Sunday afternoon, a deputy was driving on the northeast side of Pueblo near Troy Avenue and Cesar Chavez Boulevard when he saw a black GMC Yukon stalled and blocking the eastbound ramp of Cesar Chavez Blvd. The deputy stopped to see if the driver needed help and to provide traffic control since the Yukon was blocking the ramp.
PCSO said the deputy tried to approach the driver who was pushing the Yukon, but the driver walked away from the deputy. A woman also got out of the Yukon and walked away from the deputy. PCSO said these actions were suspicious, so the deputy continued to command the driver to stop.
Eventually, the deputy was able to convince the driver and the woman to stop and talk with him. As the deputy was conducting a routine clearance of the two, the driver took off running. Deputies chased the driver through a nearby neighborhood before taking him into custody at an apartment complex.
Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office
The driver was identified as Gerald Rodriguez, who was on parole and had an outstanding felony warrant from the Department of Corrections (DOC). Rodriguez was arrested on the outstanding warrant and also on new charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer. He has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail.
“While the deputy had initially stopped to help with the stalled vehicle, he had great perception to notice the driver was acting suspiciously,” said Sheriff David J. Lucero. “After learning the man had a felony warrant from DOC, the deputy, along with other responding deputies, did an incredible job surrounding the area and ultimately locating the suspect and taking him into custody. Excellent work by all involved.”