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Denver Police Kill Suspected Home Invader

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police shot and killed a home invasion and assault suspect Saturday morning after a short pursuit that left the suspect's Jeep crushed against a tree.

Detectives said the man was wanted for forcing his way into a home, assaulting a woman and stealing a Jeep. The shooting and crash happened at 22nd and Downing where the chase ended, but police were called to a different location first.

The chase took place in about three minutes and over eight blocks. It started at High Street and 30th Avenue. Witnesses said speeds looked to be as high as 70 miles per hour.

Officers were given permission to take extreme measures to stop the suspect in the stolen Jeep.

Police said a woman who lives in the house was threatened by a man with a gun. Neighbors said he was disguised as a salesperson, and that's why she let him in.

Police haven't yet released great detail about what happened inside, but neighbors called 911 after hearing shots fired and after seeing the woman run out of her house screaming for help.

"All I heard was a gunshot about 45 minutes earlier, then she came out in the street hollering form help," neighbor Michael Wattley said. "One side of her face had all kinds of blood coming down."

"One of the calls stated that the woman was nude and bleeding from the face," Lt. Matt Murray with Denver police said.

The woman's Jeep was then stolen. Police asked Colorado State Patrol for help and they used an aircraft to search for a LoJack signal. It's a device that helps police locate stolen cars. They found it right away and confronted the man in the Jeep.

Daniel Ericksen was standing on Downing Street when he saw the Jeep come barreling down the street. Police performed a pit maneuver. The Jeep spun around and hit a tree, knocking it down, but the suspect continued to try to get away from police.

"The suspect fled and officers were given permission to use extreme measures to stop the pursuit, which they did," Murray said. "Two officers fired weapons. Pursuits are so dangerous to the public. Saturday morning, people are out walking their dogs, this vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed."

The suspect  is described as a Hispanic male with tattoos on his arm.

Neighbors told CBS4 the victim's roommate was tied up during the robbery.

Downing Shooting Map
(credit: CBS)
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