A high-speed chase in and around Granby led to an arrest of a Westminster man with a BMW. Alexis Juarez-Mendez, 25, received numerous charges after running from officers and causing mayhem on U.S. Highway 40 on the evening of Sept. 27.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, a call came in at approximately 5:16 p.m. about a a silver BMW speeding southbound on U.S. Highway 34, making bad passes and nearly causing a head-on collision.

According to the release, a Granby Police officer responded to the area near Highway 34 and County Road 61 north of Granby. The officer attempted a traffic stop by using his lights and siren. Juarez-Mendez accelerated and failed to stop. A deputy with the sheriff’s office began the pursuit.

“The suspect’s vehicle continued through the Granby area and then made a left onto U.S. Highway 40 and continued eastbound at speeds of excess of 112 mph in a posted 60 mph while kicking up sand, dust and gravel, and recklessly passing other vehicles on the shoulder,” the sheriff’s office stated in the release.

As Juarez-Mendez approached Red Dirt Hill on the south end of Granby, he entered a construction zone near Mile Post 217. He was forced to slow down due to other traffic. He slammed on his breaks, made a U-turn and began traveling westbound on Highway 40, where he then slammed on his breaks again.

A deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, with the intent to conduct a high-risk traffic stop, the sheriff’s office stated. However, the suspect was able to accelerate and continue westbound on the highway, reaching speeds over 112 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.

“A Granby police officer attempted to utilize tire deflation devices, however the suspect’s vehicle was able to maneuver around them,” the sheriff’s office stated. “The suspect’s vehicle was then forced to slow due to other traffic, at which time a deputy was able to utilize a push bar and stop the vehicle on the shoulder of the road.”

A push bar, also known as a push bumper or nudge bar, is a heavy-duty metal frame on the front a patrol car that can be used for precision immobilization techniques, better known as PIT maneuvers, to stop a fleeing vehicle.

Juarez-Mendez was booked into the Grand County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility in Hot Sulphur Springs on three active arrest warrants out of Jefferson and Arapahoe counties, as well as vehicular eluding, DUI, driving under a revoked license and other traffic offenses.

“Once again, one driver’s decisions have had a significant impact on our community and put other motorists at risk,” said Sheriff Brett Schroetlin in a statement. “Mr. Juarez-Mendez’s ongoing criminal behavior and lack of willingness to follow the rule of law is evident and he must be held accountable within our judicial system.”