CRAIG, Colo. — Geomar Gomez-Hernandez, 35, was arrested Thursday after allegedly stealing fuel from the Maverik gas station on Victory Way in Craig, triggering a high-speed chase and multiple collisions with police vehicles.
According to the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to a report of a fuel theft at the gas station around 11 a.m. and attempted to pull over Gomez-Hernandez, who was driving a white Ford pickup truck. However, the suspect failed to stop, and the pursuit quickly escalated. Deputies performed several high-risk traffic stops while the vehicle attempted to evade capture and rammed multiple sheriff’s office vehicles.
The chase ended around 12 p.m. when deputies were able to force the vehicle to stop on Colorado Highway 13, near mile marker 119, about 40 minutes north of Craig. During the pursuit, three deputies sustained minor injuries but were released from medical care later that day.
Gomez-Hernandez was transported to a hospital for precautionary reasons before being booked into the Moffat County Jail. He faces multiple charges, though specific details regarding those charges have not been disclosed.
This arrest follows a series of similar thefts in the area. Recently, Steamboat Springs police made several arrests in connection with large-scale fuel thefts at the Pilot Flying J gas station, including suspects using box trucks to steal thousands of gallons of fuel. Law enforcement officials suspect organized crime or gangs may be involved in these incidents.
Moffat County Sheriff’s Office plans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in nearby counties, including Steamboat Springs and Grand County, to determine whether these recent thefts are connected. The investigation is still in its early stages, but authorities are focusing on the possible ties between these incidents.
The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to fuel thefts.