A nationwide manhunt for three siblings on the FBI’s most-wanted list focused on Colorado today, after a “very credible” report placed the so-called Dougherty Gang in the state.
“Our investigation leads us to believe that this is them,” said FBI Denver spokesman Dave Joly.
Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, a stripper, and her two brothers, Ryan Dougherty, 21, half-brother Dylan Dougherty Stanley, 26, have been on the run since Aug. 2, when they shot at a police officer in Central Florida who tried to pull them over.
Five hours later they robbed a bank in Valdosta, Ga. One of them fired an AK-47 rifle into the ceiling as they entered the front door. Another of the trio was also armed with some type of machine gun, while the third collected the cash.
They fled in a 2006 Subaru Impreza sedan, which officials now believe was the same car spotted in Colorado Springs near Interstate 25 and Woodman Road at about 1:30 p.m. today.
The Dougherty suspects are considered armed and very dangerous. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and not to approach the suspects if seen. Instead, citizens should call 9-1-1.
“We believe they pose a very imminent threat to the community we serve and to law enforcement,” Joly said.
He said based on the group’s purchases, including camping supplies, officials believe “they might be headed to a rural area or a camp site to avoid law enforcement detection.”
The car seen today in Colorado Springs had stolen Texas license plates with the number LCS 909.
When their flight began, Ryan Dougherty was accused of sending hundreds of explicit text messages to an 11-year-old girl he met on MySpace. He has 14 previous felonies on his record.
His sister, who had recently worked as a dancer at a Cocoa Beach club called Cheaters, had been arrested five times on hit-and-run charges, as well as a number of misdemeanor arrests and convictions.
Dylan Stanley has previously been arrested on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges.
Joey Bunch: jbunch@denverpost.com or 303-954-1174.
