High-speed multi-county chase ends in 'vehicle intervention' and two arrests

A high-speed, multi-county chase ended Tuesday night with a “tactical vehicle response” and a pair of arrests, according to a news release from the Grand County Sheriff's Office.

On Tuesday at 10:49 p.m., the Grand County Communications Center was contacted by the Routt County Communications Center regarding a vehicle traveling eastbound from the Steamboat Springs area that failed to stop for Routt County law enforcement. It was also reported that the vehicle was swerving, driving without headlights and traveling at a high rate of speed.

At 11:31 p.m., Grand County Sheriff's Office officers located the vehicle on U.S. Highway 40 near mile marker 176 west of Kremmling and, based on information provided by Routt County, attempted another traffic stop of the vehicle. According to the sheriff's office, the driver of the vehicle failed to comply and sped off, and a pursuit was initiated eastbound on Highway 40.

The vehicle entered Kremmling and then turned south onto Colorado Highway 9. The Grand County Sheriff's Office was able to deploy tire deflation devices on Highway 9 at County Road 33 in an attempt to slow the vehicle's movement. However, the vehicle continued south, reaching speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour while continuing to ride on one of the tire's rims. As the vehicle continued southbound, the vehicle crossed into the northbound lanes several times while turning the vehicle's headlights on and off, according to the sheriff's office.

Sheriff's Office officers attempted other intervention techniques as the vehicle continued on Interstate 9. However, they were met with resistance from the driver of the suspect vehicle, according to the sheriff's office. Summit County law enforcement was notified of the pursuit.

On Highway 9, just south of the junction with I-70, the driver slowed down and Grand County officers were able to initiate a tactical vehicle response and safely take the driver and passenger into custody. Both individuals were evaluated by Summit Fire and EMS and the driver was transported to Summit Medical Center for pre-existing injuries and then transported to the Grand County Jail.

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

Rapisardo was arrested for violations of Colorado Revised Statute 18-18-116.5, vehicular evasion (felony); CRS 18-3-203, criminal attempt – second-degree assault on a peace officer (felony); 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 18-40-409, aggravated theft of a motor vehicle (felony); CRS 18-3-208, reckless endangerment; CRS 18-3-208, reckless endangerment; CRS 18-8-610, tampering with evidence; CRS 42-2-206, Driving a Vehicle as a Repeat Traffic Offender; CRS 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving; CRS 42-4-1101 Speeding; CRS 42-4-1406 Foreign Matter on the Road (Litter); CRS 42-4-1409 Driving an 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 for 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 Protective Order; CRS 18-8-610 Tampering with Evidence; CRS 42-4-1406 Foreign Matter on Roadway (Litter); and CRS 18-18-428 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“Once again, a driver’s decision to not simply pull over when contacted by law enforcement resulted in another car chase where he ultimately put others in danger,” Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said in a news release. “It is imperative that we, law enforcement, the justice system and the community, continue to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.”

This story is from Steamboat Pilot & Today.