A Wyoming man was arrested on July 16 after leading police on a pursuit from Colorado to Albany County.
Earl Mercer, 42, with a last known address in Cheyenne, took a white cargo van from the front of a home in Laporte, Colorado at about 7 p.m. The van, owned by Fort Collins Heating and Air Conditioning, was sitting in front an employee’s house.
The employee was about to take his dog for a walk when he noticed the van driving away from his home. He proceeded to pursue Mercer and the van northbound with his girlfriend for 30 miles after calling 911.
Colorado police took over the chase in Colorado, and Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) also joined in the pursuit. WHP flattened the vehicle’s tires with a spike strip, but Mercer failed to stop, speeding up to over 80 mph with flat tires.
As the tires began to fall apart, Mercer slowed to about 35 mph. A Colorado deputy was then able to execute a maneuver to make the vehicle lose control and bring it to a stop. Police ordered Mercer to exit the vehicle at gunpoint and subsequently arrested him.
According to felony information dated July 17, Mercer faces one felony for wrongful taking or disposing of property. The maximum penalty for this offense is ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Mercer also received a ticket from WHP for driving under the influence during this incident.
