***UPDATE***

January 8, 2026

Yesterday, January 7, 2026 at about 2:20 pm, a deputy with the Moffat County Sheriff's Office located a silver Dodge Durango that had been reported stolen out of Grand Junction, Colorado.  The vehicle was originally spotted by a Craig Police Officer, who shared that it was in Craig with other officers and deputies.  The driver and occupant(s) of the Durango had reportedly been involved in a robbery in the Mesa County area, and had eluded officers in the Delta County area.  The driver of the Durango (later identified as a juvenile from Palisade, CO), was driving erratically, speeding, and making illegal / unsafe passes on Highway 40, near Moffat County Road 29.  The Moffat County Deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens, and the driver of the Durango accelerated to speeds over 100 mph, and continued driving erratically.  At this time in the pursuit, it was believed there were one or two total occupants in the vehicle.   

As the pursuit entered Routt County, a Colorado State Patrol Trooper assumed command of the pursuit.  This was after limiting traffic on the roadway, during efforts to prevent a motor vehicle crash.  The Colorado State Patrol had an aircraft in the area that was positioned to assist in tracking of the fleeing driver.  The pursuit approached the city limits of Hayden, CO on Highway 40, when the driver lost control of the Durango, and drove off of the north side of the roadway.  The Durango continued towards the railroad tracks, before stopping in a drainage ditch on its wheels, outside of the city limits of Hayden. 

While coming to a stop, six individuals exited the Durango while it was still in motion and fled north into a field, running towards the Yampa River.  A Moffat County Deputy, Colorado State Trooper, and Hayden Police Officers pursued the fleeing individuals on foot, apprehending all six before reaching the river.  Two individuals stayed in the Durango, and were immediately detained by Moffat County Deputies. 

The driver of the Durango was identified as a 17 year old juvenile male from Palisade.  The juvenile driver was booked on a $100,000 cash only bond at the Moffat County Jail on the following charges:  Felony Vehicular Eluding, Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Reckless Endangerment, Driving Without a Valid Drivers License, as well as a Mesa County Warrant for Felony Aggravated Robbery with a Weapon.  It is important to note, all arrested individuals are presumed innocent, until proven guilty, or adjudicated in a court of law.                                            

The Colorado State Patrol, and Moffat County Sheriff's Office identified the additional occupants from the Durango:

• Shayla Turner, 18 year old female, a transient from Mesa County was booked and held at the Moffat County Jail on a warrant for Felony Theft.
• Miracle Carter, 19 year old female, a transient from Mesa County was booked and held on a $100,000 cash only bond at the Moffat County Jail on a warrant for Misdemeanor Assault, and Felony Aggravated Robbery with a Weapon
• An 18 year old male was released from the Public Safety Center with no criminal charges. 
• A 17 year old female passenger was released from the Public Safety Center to her guardians with no criminal charges.
• A 13 year old male, and 17 year old male were transported by the Moffat County Sheriff's Office to neighboring counties, where they were released to guardians.
• A 15 year old male, who had been reported as a runaway since November of 2025, was transported and released by the Moffat County Sheriff's Office.    

This investigation was a collaborative effort involving agencies from Moffat County, the Colorado State Patrol, Routt County, Mesa County, and Delta County.  Finally, a thank you to our community.  First responders on scene have expressed their sincere gratitude for the community efforts on Highway 40, ensuring a clear path to the scene.  Pulling to the far right side of the roadway, and coming to a complete stop allows our first responders a clear, safe path towards completing their goals of community safety.  Thank you!    

January 7, 2026

Moffat County Deputies attempted to stop a suspected stolen vehicle this afternoon on Highway 40, just east of Craig.  The vehicle fled, and attempted to elude deputies, before leaving the roadway and stopping in a ditch on the west side of Hayden.  This same vehicle reportedly eluded officers in at least one other jurisdiction on January 6th.       

At this time eight individuals have been detained from the vehicle.  The Sheriff's Office is in the early stages of investigation, and updates will be made as soon as they become available.  This is a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving agencies from Moffat County, Colorado State Patrol, Routt County, Mesa County, and Delta County.  All involved individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.