The Cortez Police Department seek to arrest a man who allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing his car and fleeing the scene on foot.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday.
The man, Desmond Growler, is described as Native American, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 194 pounds. He is 39 years old and has black hair and brown eyes.
People with information about Growler are encouraged to call dispatch at (970) 565-8441 or submit a nonemergency tip through the Crimewatch app or website, www.cortezpd.org.
Officer Tyler Smith was patrolling the 500 block of East Main Street on Nov. 7 about 11:30 p.m. when a silver Dodge Charger pulled out of the Super 8 parking lot “at a high rate of speed,” driving right on Smith’s bumper.
After Smith pulled to the side and turned on his emergency lights, he followed the Charger at 80 mph, but was left farther behind on the wet roadway during a snowstorm.
Smith radioed Sgt. Brent Jarmon to let him know the Charger was heading his way. Jarmon was conducting a traffic stop near 1100 S. Broadway when he got Smith’s message.
The vehicle passed Jarmon at an estimated 100 mph.
“When the vehicle passed me, I could feel my patrol vehicle sway from the wind,” he said.
Jarmon briefly pursued the Charger, but ended the chase because of the speed and road conditions. He found the crashed Charger on the east side of U.S. Highway 491, south of Road G near the Habitat for Humanity building.
The car was empty.
“It was apparent the sedan had traveled over the median separating the north and south lanes, flattened the tires on the passenger side and came to the final resting place as previously described. There was also damage to the front end, fenders and bumper,” Jarmon said.
Officers from the Cortez Police Department, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado State Patrol were unable to locate him.
In the glove box of the car, Jarmon found a job application bearing Growler’s name, and on the floor, he an empty can of Corona beer. The car was registered to Betsy of Chinle, Arizona.
After 40 minutes, the search for Growler was discontinued.
A few hours later, about 2 a.m., an employee from the Love’s Travel Center called and said Growler had come into the store “wet and muddy.” Officers followed up on the call but did not find him.
Dispatch also advised that Growler had a nonextraditable warrant for his arrest in New Mexico, as well as a probation warrant.
Jarmon requested a warrant for Growler on suspicion of vehicular eluding, obstructing a government operation, reckless driving, failure to notify police of an accident, crossing a roadway in an unlawful manner, following too closely and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
