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Crime recap: 322 arrested last week in El Paso County

Two police officers behind crime scene tape Photo Credit: kali9 (iStock).

Colorado Springs police saw murder, domestic violence and “prank” bomb threats last week, among other offenses, with law enforcement making 322 arrests in El Paso County.

From Oct. 19 to Oct. 25,  the Colorado Springs Police Department posted 16 blotter entries to its public database of incidents approved for release. Here is a recap of those entries:

On Monday, a juvenile was arrested after calling in what police say was a “prank” bomb threat to Explorer Elementary School. School staff received a phone call shortly after 3 p.m. with a bomb threat, and police used drone units to search for any explosive devices; none were found. The suspect was contacted shortly after.

On Tuesday, police received several calls about shots fired in the 3300 block of Austin Bluffs Parkway. Initial investigation revealed a woman was entering her vehicle when her estranged husband confronted her and then allegedly fired “several” rounds in her direction. No arrests were announced.

Also on Tuesday, two people were arrested after stealing a woman’s car while it was warming up and using her debit card, which was in the vehicle. Ashley Steele, 40, faces charges of identity theft, and Richard Deanda, 25, faces charges of motor vehicle theft, identity theft and resisting arrest. Deanda is a seven-time convicted motor vehicle thief, and had an existing motor vehicle theft warrant and was on parole for motor vehicle theft.

On Thursday, Joshua Saucier, 20, was arrested as part of an investigation by several police units into a 2023 shooting. Saucier faces several charges including unlawful discharge of a firearm and 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Also on Thursday, police were dispatched to a stabbing that left a woman with serious injuries. The suspect, Christopher Sandoval, 36, was arrested, and police learned that Sandoval is the son of a male acquaintance of the victim.

On Saturday, a police vehicle was driving on northbound Interstate 25, south of Garden of the Gods, with the emergency lights flashing when a car struck the rear quarter panel of the vehicle. The driver, Chante Rue, was arrested and faces charges of driving under the influence.

Also on Saturday, Matthew Regnier, 33, was arrested and faces several charges, including murder in the first degree, for a stabbing that took place just before midnight on Friday. Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of North El Paso Street when they found three people with serious stab wounds. One of the victims later died at the hospital, and the other two have serious, life-threatening injuries.

Other incidents at a glance:

  • On Oct. 26, officers contacted a “violent felon who had multiple felony domestic violence charges” in the 2400 block of East Monument Street. The suspect was contacted without incident after police executed a search warrant on their residence.
  • Also on Oct. 26, a vehicle veered into the median and struck a tree near Dublin Boulevard and Cloud Dancer Drive. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • On Monday, Jerry Maclin, 28, was arrested after a domestic violence incident, in which he was shouting “suicidal and homicidal” statements, including an intention to “commit suicide by cop.” The victim and her children were unharmed.
  • On Tuesday, police responded to a robbery in the 3500 block of North Academy Boulevard. A suspect entered a business before demanding money and leaving. Nobody was injured in the incident and no arrests were announced.
  • Also on Tuesday, the second suspect of two September armed carjackings against women was arrested. Nicholas Adams, 32, was arrested in connection with the incidents that took place on Sept. 14 and 15, and Adams’ alleged accomplice in the robberies, Michael Mitchell, was arrested Oct. 8.
  • On Wednesday, Nickolaus Taylor, 33, was arrested after allegedly stealing a 1988 Toyota Corolla that was warming up with the key in its ignition in the 500 block of West Garden of the Gods Road. 
  • Also on Wednesday, Vaughn Oseth, 45, was arrested after he allegedly assaulted someone with a deadly weapon and was stabbed in self defense by the victim.
  • On Friday, Lorenzo Avila, 42, was arrested and faces charges of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly firing a weapon in a residence with a victim in the home.
  • Also on Friday, a suspect entered a business in the 3800 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue and took a cash register containing “various amounts of marked bills.” No injuries were reported and no arrests have been announced.


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