MESA COUNTY, COLO. - On March 5, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office arrested one male suspect in the 500 block of Sunburst Court, in Grand Junction. Initially, deputies responded to the area of 33 ½ and C ½ Roads in Palisade for a suspicious incident that included a vehicle stuck in a ditch and an unknown male pointing a firearm at a passerby. That initial call came into the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center around 8:45 p.m.

Before deputies could locate a suspect in the area of the suspicious incident, multiple concerned citizens reported an unsafe driver at a high rate of speed and with reckless behavior in the areas of 29 and 30 Roads, along and around the I-70 Business Loop. A stolen vehicle was also reported in the same time frame, from the area of the suspicious incident. The unsafe driver was reported to dispatch as being in the same type of vehicle as the reported stolen vehicle.

Our community partners, the Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD), provided both marked and unmarked units which assisted in the coordination of bringing this dangerous suspect into custody.

Manuel Ambriz, 26, of Grand Junction, was identified as a parolee and arrested without incident. He was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Criminal Attempt 2nd Degree Motor Vehicle Theft, Felony 5
• Assault 1st Degree Intent To Cause Serious Bodily Injury - Deadly Weapon, Felony 5
• 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass of Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor 2
• Resisting Arrest, Misdemeanor 2
• Obstructing a Peace Officer, Misdemeanor 2
• 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass Enclosed/Fenced Property, Petty Offense (2 counts)
• Criminal Mischief - Under $300, Petty Offense
• Careless Driving, Traffic Offense (2 counts)
• Reckless Driving, Traffic Offense (2 counts)
• Eluding or Attempting To Elude a Police Officer, Traffic Offense (2 counts)
• Fail To Notify Police of Accident, Traffic Offense

In addition to the partnership with GJPD, the Colorado State Patrol was also a part of this incident. We appreciate their assistance and are grateful for the seamless work we do together on behalf of the safety of our community. 

The booking photo of this suspect will be provided to the media when it becomes available.