Driver arrested after I-25 pursuit; deputies say he waved a gun

Larimer County sheriff's deputies arrested Sully Lewis after a pursuit that ended at Interstate 25 and Highway 66, and deputies say the driver waved a gun in a threatening manner during the chase.

Just after 11:45 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriff's Office received an automatic license plate reader alert about a vehicle with a stolen license plate at Highway 34 and North Denver Avenue in Loveland. Deputies found the vehicle and tried to stop it, but the driver refused to pull over, the sheriff's office said. Deputies used tire spikes and law enforcement vehicles to stop the car at Interstate 25 and Highway 66.

Lewis was arrested and booked into the Larimer County Jail on these charges:

• 1st Degree Assault (class 3 felony)
• Vehicular Eluding (class 5 felony)
• Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (class 6 felony)
• Prohibited Use of Weapons (class 1 misdemeanor)
• Obstructing a Peace Officer (class 2 misdemeanor)
• Theft / Removal of a Vehicle License Plate (class 2 misdemeanor)
• Resisting Arrest (class 2 misdemeanor)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (drug petty offense)
• Vehicle Had No/Defective License Plate Lamps (traffic offense)

Lewis also had an active El Paso County warrant, and additional charges are pending.

Deputies recovered multiple firearms from the vehicle and rescued a pregnant dog that was inside during the pursuit.

The passenger, Carissa Allen, was taken into custody on active El Paso County warrants that include a $50,000 cash/property/surety bond.

Lewis had combined $108,000 cash/property/surety bonds from El Paso County. The Larimer County Court issued him a $35,000 cash bond.

Lieutenant Josh Fast said deputies resolved the situation and prevented harm to other motorists. "Driving recklessly is completely unacceptable and puts innocent lives at risk," Fast said. He did not say in those remarks that Lewis had been proven to have driven recklessly; the sheriff's office said the charges are accusations.

The sheriff's office thanked Colorado State Patrol and Loveland Police Department for assisting during the incident. It said the charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.