On 05/26/24, at approximately 1:25 p.m., officers with the Grand Junction Police Department were dispatched to a report of an auto theft in the 1600 block of N 19th Street. Neighbors in the area reported seeing two males attempting illegal entry into parked vehicles. The two males stole a parked Dodge Charger, still running with the keys in the ignition, which was reported to be in the same area. After leaving in the stolen vehicle, the suspects returned and attempted entry into a residence. When confronted by the homeowner, the two suspects left the area, and were pursued by the homeowner. Officers attempted a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle and it eluded. The suspects traveled to an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Orchard Avenue and ran from the vehicle which was smoking heavily. The Grand Junction Fire Department extinguished the vehicle, and the Grand Junction Police Department and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office quickly located the two suspects nearby and took them into custody. Marcelino Salazar (age 19) and Luis Mancilla-Aceves (age 19) were arrested and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility where they are being charged with Auto Theft, Burglary, Eluding, First Degree Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle, and other related charges.
The Grand Junction believes this to be an isolated incident with no ongoing danger to the community. This incident is under investigation and there is no further information available.