A man in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing from police and ramming a stolen vehicle into patrol units. Furthermore, as per the police, he was caught attempting to swap license plates mid-chase.
As reported by KKTV, citing the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the investigation began back on April 29. At the time, a vehicle had been reported stolen.
Officers responded to the 4800 block of Nightingale Drive. They learned that someone had stolen a gray Nissan Altima.
The very next day, CSPD officers began investigating the car theft. As a result, they identified 29-year-old Sean Mackins as the individual who had allegedly stolen the Nissan.
Swapping License Plates
Weeks later, on May 20, an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Mackins. However, he allegedly refused to stop and drove away in the stolen Nissan, successfully eluding police.
Shortly after, he was located in the 2700 block of Haystack Drive in Cimarron Hills. As per the police, detectives witnessed Mackins swapping the Nissan’s license plate with a different one, which also belonged to another stolen vehicle.
Detectives made contact with Mackins. He, however, once again managed to elude the police by driving through a nearby residence’s front lawn, police said.
Suspect Located, Units Damaged
On Wednesday, June 10, CSPD officers once again located Mackins in the 5000 block of North Nevada Avenue. This time around, US Marshals and Colorado State Patrol assisted with the traffic stop.
Mackins, who was allegedly still driving the stolen Nissan, once again refused to stop the vehicle. Instead, as per the police, he rammed several patrol units while trying to escape.
This attempt was unsuccessful, and he was swiftly taken into custody. Allegedly, officers found illegal drugs and a handgun in the 29-year-old’s possession.
Arrested and Charged
Sean Mackins is charged with first-degree motor vehicle theft, two counts of felony vehicular eluding, identity theft, special offender, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. He is currently being held on a $10,000 bond.
If convicted of his vehicle theft charge, he could face up to 12 years in prison. He could also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $750,000 and sentenced to five years’ mandatory probation. His time behind bars, however, could end up extended due to his special offender enhancement, on top of the additional charges.
As per KKTV, Mackins was referred to as a habitual vehicle theft offender. On top of that, he also has an extensive criminal history.