Man Arrested in Connection With Vehicle Fire Near Fort Carson
A 32-year-old man was arrested after deputies say he was identified as the suspect in an arson investigation involving vehicles in the Cheyenne Mountain Estates area west of Colorado Springs.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in front of a residence in the 8100 block of Piute Road at approximately 4:22 a.m. on Aug. 26. The area is near Colorado 115 and Fort Carson Gate 5.
Deputies with the Sheriff's Office, along with members of the Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District, responded to the scene and secured the area.
According to investigators, two adult victims were contacted at the scene. Both had vehicles on the property that sustained damage in the incident.
The victims reportedly told deputies they had received threats earlier that evening from someone they knew. Investigators later identified that person as Alex Luevano.
Neighbors assisted the investigation by providing security camera footage to deputies. The footage reportedly helped investigators identify Luevano as the person believed to be responsible for the incident.
Deputies attempted to locate Luevano following the fire but were initially unsuccessful. Investigators subsequently obtained an arrest warrant and referred the case to the Sheriff's Office Fugitive Impact Team.
On Sept. 3, deputies with the Fugitive Impact Team located Luevano at a residence in the 1000 block of Rice Drive in Colorado Springs, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said Luevano attempted to flee on foot when deputies approached him. He was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.
Luevano was transported to the El Paso County Jail and booked on charges including criminal mischief, first-degree criminal trespass, harassment, second-degree arson and second-degree criminal tampering.
The Sheriff's Office said Luevano was later released on a personal recognizance bond following his advisement hearing.
The investigation highlights the role that neighborhood security footage can play in helping investigators identify suspects after crimes occur. In this case, footage provided by nearby residents was used by deputies as part of the investigation that led to the arrest.
The charges against Luevano are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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