NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – On January 27, 2019, at around 5:36 am, a patrol deputy responded to the area of Freeport Drive in Highlands Ranch on the report of a suspicious vehicle. The reporting party described what appeared to be a silver van that was possibly breaking into vehicles.
While in the area looking for the vehicle, the deputy spotted a grey van stopped on a nearby residential street, close the area of the initial report. It matched the description given by the original caller. When he drove past the vehicle, it began to drive away. Once the deputy turned around to follow the vehicle, it accelerated at a high rate of speed and turned off its headlights.
The deputy radioed the location of the vehicle and another deputy responded to the area to assist. As the second deputy was waiting for the suspect vehicle, he spotted it coming towards him at a high rate of speed with the headlights out. Once the suspect vehicle passed him, the deputy began to make a U-turn to follow. At this point he heard two distinct gunshots. He attempted to catch up to the vehicle. Patrol deputies searched the surrounding area but were unable to find the vehicle or the suspect. The case was turned over to Investigations, who responded to the scene immediately. Spent shell casings were discovered at the scene. During the initial investigation, it was determined that the suspect vehicle was a stolen Chrysler Pacifica and a possible suspect was identified. Through the assistance of multiple agencies, the suspect was identified and taken into custody.
Manuelito Dewane Vigil dob 073197, was arrested on January 31, 2019, and transported the Douglas County Detentions Facility. Vigil was booked in on the following charges:
First Degree Murder of a Peace Officer, Criminal Attempt (in relation to the first charge) F2 Vehicular Eluding F4, Possession of Weapons by Previous Offender F5, Violation of Bail Bond Conditions F6, Possession of Burglary Tools F5, and 1st Degree Agg Motor Vehicle Theft F4, He also had a felony warrant out of another jurisdiction. Vigil was given his first advisement this morning and bond was set at one million dollars. His next court date will be Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 0830 am.
“I am continually impressed with the tenacity that not only my deputies and investigative staff have in catching the bad guys, but also with how well they all mesh with other agencies. None of this would have been possible if not for the teamwork of all those involved. The goal was to identify the bad guys, find the bad guys, and arrest the bad guys. Job well done!” stated Sheriff Tony Spurlock.
This is still a very active investigation; no other information is available. A mugshot will not be released at this time.