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Police: Man, woman in custody after trying to flee from officers in stolen car; officer injured

Posted at 10:55 AM, May 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-25 16:47:36-04

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – A man and a woman were taken into police custody Friday morning after trying to flee from officers in a stolen car, police said.

Lakewood police said officers were patrolling the parking lot of the Crossland Economy Studios, 715 Kipling St., at about 2 a.m. when they spotted a stolen car in the parking lot. The officers observed a man and a woman exit a room and get into the car.

When officers approached the car and issued commands, the man drove off, hitting an officer, police said. After driving a short distance further, the man crashed into another car and both he and the woman got out of the car.

Officers took the woman into custody but the man took off on foot, police said.

Police said they eventually located the suspect hiding behind a Valero gas station at 722 Kipling St. at about 8 a.m. and took him into custody.

On Friday afternoon, Lakewood police identified the two as 24-year-old Enrique Arellano of Parker and 23-year-old Arlita Flores of Denver. Both are being held for investigation on charges at the Jefferson County jail.

Arellano faces investigation on seven charges, including felony assault, aggravated motor vehicle theft and vehicular eluding. Flores faces three charges, including felony aggravated motor vehicle theft. Both were also jailed on outstanding warrants, police said.

The officer who was hit by the car remained at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood as of Friday afternoon, the department said, but his name was not released. The department said the officer was a 13-year veteran of the department and is expected to recover.