El Paso County, Colo. – Law enforcement officials arrested a juvenile on Monday after a stolen BMW SUV was driven into the front of Rocky Bull Bistro during a night of multiple burglaries in the unincorporated area.
Sequence of events
At approximately 5 a.m., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) received a call reporting a burglary in progress at a business on the 6800 block of Space Village Avenue. Deputies arrived and learned that the suspect had broken windows at several nearby establishments and was attempting to enter a vape shop.
According to EPSO, gunshots were also reported. The suspect then tried to force a BMW SUV through the walls of the vape shop. Security footage from Rocky Bull Bistro, owned by Reese Sattler, showed the suspect firing at a security camera, failing to gain entry, and subsequently driving the SUV into the bistro’s front façade.
Impact on the bistro and nearby businesses
Sattler said the crash caused significant damage to the restaurant’s exterior. He emphasized that his priority is the safety of his employees and customers as the business prepares to reopen.
“We don’t want to put more people at risk,” Sattler said. “I don’t want to put my own employees or myself at risk, let alone customers that are coming in trying to support.”
Additional burglary sites
Deputies also responded to reports of similar burglaries in the 950 block of North Powers Boulevard, where shell casings were found. Later, around 6:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Skuna Drive in the Lorson Ranch area after a BMW SUV with extensive damage was reported.
The driver, wearing a ski mask, abandoned the vehicle. Inside the residence and the SUV, deputies recovered evidence that matched the earlier burglary reports. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen.
Arrest and charges
When deputies secured the residence, an adult female, a minor, and a juvenile male left the home. The male juvenile was detained and taken into custody. He now faces charges related to the burglaries and the destruction of property, though the specific counts were not listed in the release.
EPSO detectives continue to investigate the string of overnight burglaries, and the case remains open.
Community response
Local business owners expressed concern over the safety of the area and the potential impact on commerce. Sattler remains optimistic about reopening the bistro once repairs are completed, emphasizing a commitment to serving the community without compromising safety.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
