Law enforcement searched for more than three hours Monday night for a man believed to be armed near western Durango city limits.
The manhunt began shortly after 5 p.m. when a La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to make contact with a vehicle on U.S. Highway 160. The driver exited the highway near Animas High School, and a man allegedly fled from the vehicle on foot, according to scanner traffic and the Colorado State Patrol.
A spokesman for the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office said the search was being called off at 8:20 p.m., but he had no further information to release. He said the suspect had been identified, but he didn’t release a name.
“You’ve got more information than I have,” he said.
The man remained missing as of 9 a.m. Tuesday.
U.S. Highway 160 was closed in both directions from about 5:05 to 6:25 p.m. while law enforcement searched north of the highway near Wildcat Canyon Liquors, Lightner Creek Road (County Road 207) and the Twin Buttes area.
A reverse 911 call was made to residents in the area. A K-9 unit was called and a drone helped search the rugged terrain north of Highway 160, between Wildcat Canyon Liquors and Twin Buttes subdivision.
According to scanner traffic, several residents reported seeing the suspect wearing a red shirt and dark-colored jeans. He was seen near the Twin Buttes subdivision and on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango. At least two people said the suspect offered them $200 for a car ride.
Margaret Titus, who lives on County Road 207, said she received a reverse 911 call telling her an armed person was in the area. The recording gave a description of the suspect and told residents to lock their doors.
She could see police activity on her street, but she had not seen the suspect.
“We’re locked up,” she said.
La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith did not return a phone call seeking comment.
No further information was immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back with www.durangoherald.com for updates.
