A man suspected of stealing a car and leading police on a four-hour foot pursuit was caught hiding in an attic under a bed Monday southeast of Durango, according to the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.
David Unsell, 38, was taken into custody about 2:25 p.m. by the Colorado State Patrol, said Lt. Pat Downs, with the Sheriff’s Office. He is suspected of motor vehicle theft, burglary, theft and obstruction, among other charges, Downs said.
A reverse 911 call was sent about 10:25 a.m. to residents in and near the Florida Meadows subdivision advising them to lock their homes and vehicle doors and shelter in place.
The incident began a short time earlier when the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office was preparing to stop a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Silverton, Downs said.
The vehicle apparently turned into a subdivision before the stop was initiated, and the driver fled on foot, Downs said.
“I think he turned off while they were still trying to figure out if it was a stolen car, and then by the time they got back to where he was, he was gone but the car was recovered,” Downs said.
The suspect was described as being shirtless and wearing socks but no shoes, Downs said.
Law enforcement was focusing its search near County Road 220 and Linda Lane, about a mile southwest of Elmore’s Corner on the Florida Mesa. A drone was also used to help look for the suspect, Downs said.
Unsell was eventually found in a house on Linda Lane.
“They were searching an attic area above a garage and found him hiding under a bed,” Downs said. “... He came out willingly with no troubles.”
A Sheriff’s Office spokesman said Unsell was on parole for assault and strangulation.
shane@durangoherald.com
