A man in Mesa County, Colorado, is facing more than a dozen charges after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase, which culminated in an unsuccessful on-foot fleeing attempt. As per the authorities, police would find, among other things, a compound bow in his vehicle.
According to a news release issued by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the incident occurred on Sunday, June 21. At around 9:45 a.m., a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Orchard Mesa.
The driver, later identified as 59-year-old Michael Lenahan, refused to comply, the MCSO said. Instead, he allegedly drove away while speeding and driving erratically.
The deputy, therefore, initiated a pursuit. Shortly after, the law enforcement agent took a much more direct approach to bring the chase to an end.
Maneuver Ends Pursuit
After an undisclosed amount of time, the MCSO detailed that the pursuing deputy conducted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver. This is also known as a PIT maneuver, in which a patrol unit gently bumps the rear quarter panel of a fleeing vehicle.
The maneuver was a success. After traveling westbound and then eastbound on Highway 50, Lenahan’s vehicle was disabled and came to a stop.
Between 31 and 32 Roads, the deputy approached the 59-year-old man, telling him to exit the vehicle. Lenahan, however, decided to run away.
Bow Found
This second fleeing attempt, this time on foot, was also unsuccessful. The deputy managed to catch up to Lenahan and arrested him without further incident.
With the man in custody, the MCSO searched through Lenahan’s car. Allegedly, deputies came across multiple containers of what they believed was methamphetamine.
And while the drugs are a very serious bust, the search soon turned to the bizarre. Deputies also found a compound bow, a “realistic-looking BB gun,” burglary tools, and drug paraphernalia.
Over a Dozen Charges
Lenahan’s troubles didn’t stop there. At the time of his arrest, the man had active warrants for failure to appear in court on previous drug-related charges and resisting arrest. He had a $20,000 cash-only bond.
Michael Lenahan is charged with a total of 14 different charges. These include distribution of a controlled substance, vehicular eluding, reckless driving, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, possession of burglary tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia, among additional traffic infractions.
If convicted of his controlled substance charge, a class 2 felony, he could spend up to eight years in prison. Meanwhile, his vehicular eluding charge, a class 5 felony, could land him in jail for an additional three years.