Two Denver men died Friday morning after being shot at by police in Adams County as they crashed into three patrol cars while driving a stolen pickup truck.
Friday evening, the Adams County coroner identified the men as Juan Luis Arteaga, 21; and Jose Cruz Banuelos, 22. A third person in the pickup was taken into custody, but was not identified.
It was not known whether the two men died from being shot or from the crash. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
The incident started about 2 a.m. when a Westminster police officer picked up an anti-theft “LoJack” signal from a vehicle near Cuchara Street and Greenwood Boulevard in Adams County, said a Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
The Westminster police officer followed the signal and soon was joined by a sheriff’s deputy. As they got closer to the stolen pickup, it fled and officers took off in pursuit.
Officers from the Colorado State Patrol and Federal Heights Police Department joined in the chase.
A short time later, the pickup rammed three patrol cars in an attempt to get away. Near East 62nd Avenue and Broadway, and officer from Westminster and an Adams County deputy fired at the truck.
The pickup, a dark-colored Ford, crashed into the side of a building at Paulino Gardens, a floral nursery and garden center.
The area where the incident happened is mostly a mix of business and light industry. East 62nd Avenue was taped off by police, and orange cones and other evidence markers dotted the street.
No police officers were injured.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
