A Durango man was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft less than 24 hours after the car was reported missing.
Wayne Rocha, 42, was being held Monday at the La Plata County Jail on suspicion of motor vehicle theft, possession of burglary tools, driving without a valid driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Jacob Dunlop, with the Durango Police Department.
The 2013 Subaru Impreza was reported stolen about 8:30 a.m. Sunday on Avenida del Sol in west Durango.
About 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Officer Andrew Billstein was on regular patrol when he observed a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle with the same license plate, Dunlop said.
Officer Billstein pulled the car over, but the driver tried to exit the vehicle, as if to flee, Dunlop said. Officers held him at gunpoint before arresting him without further incident.
Rocha, who was being held on $10,000 bail, was in possession of burglary tools, but as of Monday, he’s not linked to other car thefts, Dunlop said.
shane@durangoherald.com
