Suspect arrested after Colorado Springs police investigate home burglary, officers deploy chemical irritants to vehicle

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado Springs police arrested a suspect Wednesday after investigating a home burglary that resulted in officers deploying chemical irritants to the suspect’s vehicle.

Colorado Springs police said at about 10 a.m., officers investigated a residential burglary around Willow Tree Grove.

While checking the neighborhood, police said officers saw a black Toyota Tacoma driving nearby and determined that the license plates on the vehicle had been stolen from another vehicle in the same area as the burglary.

Police said when officers attempted to start a traffic stop, the driver drove away and began driving recklessly. For the safety of other drivers, police did not pursue.

Police said officers deployed a drone to monitor the area where they located the Tacoma, which continued to drive erratically even though officers were not pursuing. The drone continued to monitor the vehicle until it eventually parked in the 2000 block of Delta Drive, near South Academy Boulevard and Chelton Road.

Officers confirmed the Tacoma was reported stolen and had been used in the burglary under investigation, police said.

Officers requested assistance from special units, including tactical teams and K9 units.

Using the drone information, officers confirmed the driver was alone and that no citizens were nearby, police said. Officers converged on the vehicle.

Officers used specially equipped vehicles to safely pin the stolen Tacoma in place and later secured nearby businesses.

Police said the suspect immediately attempted to get the vehicle unstuck from the pin by accelerating and spinning the tires.

The suspect, later identified by police as 45-year-old Jacob Rodriguez, shouted that he had a gun in the vehicle and would force officers to shoot him, police said.

Police said officers gave clear instructions to Rodriguez on how to surrender. The announcements included warnings that if he failed to comply, officers would force options including chemical munitions and, if necessary, a police K9.

Police said Rodriguez attempted to escape, and after repeated warnings and commands, officers deployed chemical irritants into the vehicle, forcing him to exit.

Rodriguez attempted to charge officers with a knife, appearing to “attempt to provoke a lethal response,” police said.

Police said officers deployed a taser to incapacitate Rodriguez, who fell to the ground and dropped the knife.

Police said no citizens or officers were injured, and Rodriguez sustained minor self-inflicted injuries. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Rodriguez was booked to the El Paso County Jail on multiple felony charges, including burglary, aggravated motor vehicle theft, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and eluding, police said.

Court records Thursday morning show Rodriguez is being held on a $10,000 bond.