A 23-year-old man could face charges of attempted murder after police say he tried to run over a Littleton police officer Sunday afternoon, then led them on a high-speed chase.
John Cassidy Adams was arrested near East Aurora Parkway and South Quemoy Way after leading police through eight jurisdictions and topping speeds of 90 miles per hour through busy intersections.
Police say he ignored red lights and stop signs and drove into oncoming traffic at several points during the pursuit.
According to Littleton police Sgt. Sean Dugan, the incident began when a woman called police to her home on South Lowell Boulevard because her ex-boyfriend, against whom she had a restraining order, had stolen her purse.
Police kept the home under surveillance. Around 11:45 a.m., Adams came back, but when confronted by police, he put his brown Nissan Maxima in reverse, nearly knocking an officer into a post next to the driveway.
Dugan said Adams then tried to run over the officer, who ordered Adams to stop and fired at him when he didn’t. The shot hit the passenger-side window.
From there, Adams led police from several jurisdictions on a 20-mile chase. Adams hit a private car at Broadway and West Cornell Avenue.
Adams also struck two Arapahoe County sheriff’s deputy vehicles. A deputy was taken to a hospital and released.
Police arrested Adams when he drove to a dead end near East Aurora Parkway.
Dugan said Adams has an extensive police record and could face charges of attempted homicide on a police officer, vehicle assault, eluding arrest and speeding.
Staff writer Christopher Ortiz can be reached at 303-820-1201 or cortiz@denverpost.com.
