Prosecutors To Take Time Mulling Chase Suspect's Charges
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - The suspect in Wednesday's wild chase has been moved from a hospital to the Douglas County Detention Center as prosecutors work to decide on charges.
The 28-year-old suspect, Ryan Stone, has injuries related to the crashes he's accused of causing.
"Those injuries sustained while hitting so many vehicles and more likely the last crash off Peoria and Lincoln," Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver said.
Officials said Thursday that although the chase wound through several counties, charges against Stone will be filed in Douglas County where the chase ended. Prosecutors from Boulder and Adams County will be involved in the case, however.
"It would be fair for the public to presume we're not looking to put this guy back on the streets soon," Douglas County District Attorney George Brauchler said.
WEB EXTRA VIDEO: Officials Discuss Case Against Suspect In Wild Police Chase
Prosecutors plan on using the 72 hours allowed to them before charging Stone to determine all of the necessary crimes he will be charged with.
"I also want to make sure our charges reflect the true victims that are out there, that we don't miss anyone. As we know access to the court system and many of its supports are predicated upon you being a named victim in a case -- we don't want to miss any of those," Brauchler said. "I think obvious things to think about, as you saw, what we saw on camera, were things like the kidnapping, the possibility of an attempted murder of a peace officer, vehicle thefts, the carjacking issues. All of those things … we will be discussing how best to charge moving forward."
A Colorado State Patrol trooper who was hit and seriously injured during the crash is recovering from his injuries.
Trooper Bellamann Hee was hospitalized in serious condition on Thursday, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Officials say his injuries are to the lower part of his body, but they weren't specific.
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Hee was injured Wednesday while trying to stop the man officials say was Stone, who was driving a carjacked vehicle.
The frantic pursuit of Stone started in the morning on Wednesday after he allegedly stole an SUV with a 4-year-old boy inside. The boy was found safe after the driver jumped out of the SUV and stole another vehicle.
Police say Stone was wanted in a drug case prior to Wednesday's events.
Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said the sentence they push for in the case will likely be "significant."
"There would seem to be some flight risk components to this case," Garnett said facetiously.
Prosecutors also said just as the Copter4 footage was extremely useful in apprehending Stone, it will most likely also be useful during the prosecution.
Stone is being held on a $2.5 million bond and a $1 million bond.
LINK: Probable Cause To Detain Documents
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