FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 2024    

TWO ARRESTED AFTER MULTI-COUNTY PURSUIT

GRAND COUNTY, CO- On Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at approximately 10:49 p.m. the Grand County Communications Center was contacted by the Routt County Communications Center in regards to a vehicle that was driving eastbound from the Steamboat area and had failed to stop for law enforcement in Routt County. It was further reported that the vehicle was weaving, driving without lights and traveling at a high rate of speed.

At 11:31 p.m. Grand County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located this vehicle on Highway 40 near Mile Post 176 (west of Kremmling) and based on the information provided by Routt County, attempted an additional traffic stop with this vehicle. The driver of this vehicle failed to comply, accelerated and a pursuit initiated eastbound on Highway 40. The suspect vehicle entered Kremmling and then turned southbound on Highway 9. The Sheriff’s Office was able to effectively deploy tire deflation devices on Highway 9 at County Road 33 in an attempt to slow the suspect vehicle’s movement. However, the vehicle continued southbound reaching speeds or approximately 100 miles per hour while continuing to drive on one of the tire rims. As the vehicle continued southbound, the vehicle drove in the northbound lanes on multiple occasions while also turning the vehicle headlights on and off. 

Sheriff’s Office Deputies attempted other intervention techniques as the vehicle continued down Highway 9, however were met with resistance from the driver of the suspect vehicle. Summit County law enforcement was advised of the pursuit. On Highway 9, just south of the junction with I-70, the driver slowed and Grand County Deputies were able to initiate a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (T.V.I.) and safely take the driver and passenger into custody. Both individuals were precautionarily evaluated by Summit Fire and EMS and the driver was transported to Summit Medical Center for pre-existing injuries and later transported to the Grand County Jail. 

The driver, identified as Samuel Rapisardo, age 29 of Denver and passenger, Jessica Peters, age 40 of Colorado Springs were booked into the Grand County Jail. 

Rapisardo was booked in for violations of Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 18-18-116.5 Vehicular Eluding (Felony); CRS 18-3-203 Criminal Attempt-2nd Degree Assault on a Peace Officer (Felony); CRS 18-18-403.5 Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) (Felony); CRS 18-18-403.5 Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)(Felony); CRS 18-40-409 Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (Felony); CRS 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment; CRS 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment; CRS 18-8-610 Tampering with Evidence; CRS 42-2-206 Drove Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Offender; CRS 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving; CRS 42-4-1101 Speeding; CRS 42-4-1406 Foreign Matter on Hwy (Littering); CRS 42-4-1409 Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle; CRS 42-3-121 Registration Violation; and CRS 18-18-428 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  

Peters was booked into the Grand County Jail on violations of Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 18-18-403.5 Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)(Felony); CRS 18-18-403.5 Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)(Felony); CRS 18-6-803.5 Violation of a Protection Order; CRS 18-8-610 Tampering with Evidence; CRS 42-4-1406 Foreign Matter on Roadway (Littering); and CRS 18-18-428 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

These charges are only accusations based on probable cause, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Brett Schroetlin emphasized, “Once again, a driver’s decision to not simply pull over when being contacted by law enforcement has resulted in another vehicle pursuit where they ultimately put others at risk. It is imperative that we as law enforcement, the judicial system and the community, continue to hold those individuals accountable for their actions.”

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