Jeremy Chavez Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Firefighting Vehicle In Commerce City, Leading Officers On Chase

(CBS4) - A 41-year-old man is under arrest after police say he stole a firefighter's vehicle in Commerce City, led police on a chase and later attempted to carjack a woman. Jeremy Brandon Chavez was arrested Sunday morning on charges of aggravated motor vehicle theft, attempted robbery and vehicular eluding.

The situation began at 9 a.m. at Mi Pueblo Market at the intersection of 64th Avenue and Kearney Street where a man was complaining about trouble breathing and a crew from South Adams County Fire Department came to assist him. According to a news release from Commerce City police, he suddenly walked away, got into a nearby firefighter's command vehicle, which was unlocked, and drove away. It was a Ford F-450 pickup truck.

After a pursuit which lasted approximately 15 minutes, authorities were able to halt the truck's progress using stop sticks at East 120th Avenue and Highway 2, just north of Interstate 76. The driver got out and then tried to steal a different car that was at the intersection. There was also a small child in the backseat of the car he tried to steal. Police captured him at that point.

Chavez was taken to the Adams County Jail.

According to court records, Chavez has a long criminal history including charges for kidnapping, child abuse threatening officers, motor vehicle theft and burglary.