MONTE VISTA– Four people have been arrested on drug and other offenses following a pursuit by Alamosa and Monte Vista police officers and an ensuing search warrant served on a residence here.

Convicted felon Larry Chavez, 30, of Pueblo was booked into the Rio Grande County Jail early the morning of August 21 on numerous charges including Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Driving, Vehicular Eluding and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well for a warrant in El Paso County.

At approximately 1:15 a.m. on August 21, officers with the Monte Vista Police Department were involved in a pursuit of a red Ford Escape that had eluded officers with the Alamosa Police Department earlier in the evening.

Alamosa Police had notified all surrounding agencies of the vehicle and provided a description.   An officer with the Monte Vista Police Department who was investigating possible drug activity noticed the vehicle approach the residence they were investigating the drug activity. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled, leading officers on a pursuit.

The vehicle eventually eluded officers but was found abandoned southwest of Monte Vista.  Later in the morning, an alert citizen notified law enforcement of a male in the general area who stated he had crashed earlier. When officers arrived they identified the male as Chavez and identified him as the driver and owner of the vehicle. 

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a shotgun, body armor and suspected narcotics.

On Monday, August 23, officers with the MVPD executed a search warrant at 245 Tyndall Street for narcotics and evidence related to the eluding incident. This address was where officers were investigating possible drug activity when Chavez drove up after eluding the Alamosa Police Department. 

During the search warrant officers recovered heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Terry Renee Lopez, 29, Monte Vista was arrested on a warrant for Tampering with Physical Evidence and Accomplice to Eluding for the pursuit on Friday evening.

Nayely Vasquez, 27, Monte Vista, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Drug Possession and Criminal Impersonation. She also had a warrant out of Canon City and Jefferson County for drug related charges.

Terry Lee Cooper, 26, Monte Vista, was arrested on two outstanding warrants for Shoplifting and Forgery.

Lopez, Vasquez and Cooper were booked into the Rio Grande County Jail. This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges related to the search warrant are anticipated. 

The Monte Vista Police Department was assisted by the Alamosa Police Department, Alamosa Sheriff’s Office, Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol during this investigation.