Felon Leads Cops on Long, Strange Chase

ASPEN, Colo. – A felon wanted for auto theft in Denver was jailed Tuesday in Pitkin County on charges of stealing four vehicles and leading Aspen-area authorities on a five-hour chase, authorities said.

Snowmass Village police arrested Phillip Jordon Vigil, 27, of Denver, on Monday after a chase involving two wrecked cars, two reverse 911 calls to warn Aspen residents of what was happening, the blocking of some local roads, and a shot fired by a law-enforcement officer.

Vigil faced charges of felony eluding, aggravated motor vehicle theft, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while license revoked for an alcohol-related offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Aspen police spokesman Bill Linn said.

The chase began around 5:30 a.m. Monday after a Snowmass Village resident awoke to hear his pickup truck driving away from his home.

Sheriff Bob Braudis said a deputy who spotted the truck shot its tire, but it did not stop. The empty truck was found later crashed into a tree.

Police believe the suspect then took an unlocked bicycle to a motorcycle that he stole before ditching it and stealing a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was later found undamaged.

The chase ended when a man fitting Vigil’s description was spotted in a Toyota pickup that crashed into a ditch, police said.

The investigation was continuing.

Vigil was held on bond of $67,000, Linn said.

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Information from: The Aspen Times