A man wanted in two states has been arrested in a parking lot at Denver International Airport after fleeing airport police.
Jose Angel Ruiz, 21, spent the night hiding from authorities and was still wearing handcuffs when he was found in the east economy parking lot at about 7:20 a.m., according to Denver police.
“They found him in a pickup in the east economy lot,” said DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon.
A traveller who spotted the fugitive reported him to police, said police spokeswoman Sharon Avendano.
The man was arrested at DIA after allegedly rifling through passenger luggage near a baggage claim. He grabbed for one of the officers’ guns, and police struggled with him before getting handcuffs on him, Avendano said.
He got away as he was being escorted through the airport.
Ruiz is wanted in Missouri and Texas on burglary and escape charges.
Airport police learned he was a fugitive and were preparing to hand him off to Denver Sheriff’s Department deputies, when he ran away. Police searched parking areas and pointed flashlights into departing cars, but air operations were not interrupted, the airport said.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
