by North Forty News Staff | NorthFortyNews.com
Suspect in stolen vehicle faces multiple charges after late-night chase through Fort Lupton area
A late-night high-speed pursuit in Weld County ended with the arrest of a suspect accused of driving a stolen vehicle, highlighting ongoing public safety concerns on Northern Colorado highways.
According to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 11:20 p.m. when a deputy conducting radar enforcement on Highway 85, just south of Weld County Road 6, observed a white Jeep Cherokee traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The deputy attempted a traffic stop after confirming the vehicle’s speed and observing erratic driving behavior, raising concerns about possible impairment. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and failed to yield, prompting a pursuit.
The chase continued through the Fort Lupton area and onto Highway 52 before looping back toward southbound Highway 85. Authorities say the driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot across the highway.
Officers with the Fort Lupton Police Department later detained a man inside a nearby motel lobby who was believed to be the driver.
Through investigation, deputies identified the suspect as Jose Rojas-Zuniga Jr. The vehicle he was allegedly driving had been reported stolen, and the license plate displayed did not match the vehicle. Authorities also determined the suspect’s driver’s license was revoked and that he had multiple active warrants.
Rojas-Zuniga was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicular eluding, reckless driving, and driving under restraint. Additional charges relate to speeding more than 40 miles per hour over the limit, lane violations, and use of a fictitious license plate.
Officials said the incident concluded without injuries and credited coordination between agencies for the safe outcome.
Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the risks posed by high-speed driving on regional highways, particularly in growing communities like Weld County, where traffic volumes continue to increase.
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Attribution: Weld County Sheriff’s Office