MORGAN COUNTY, Colo. – A high-speed chase, a pair of stolen vehicles, and a manhunt across rural Colorado ended in the arrests of Tamara Morris, 33, and Frank Ortega, 56, early Tuesday morning.
The incident began shortly after midnight on April 15, when the Logan County Sheriff’s Office pursued a stolen gray 2006 Dodge Charger. The pursuit ended at the Morgan-Washington County line, prompting Morgan County deputies to take over. Deputies spotted the vehicle on I-76, but it quickly fled.
Later that morning, at 7:30 a.m., a caller reported a gold 2000 Toyota Tacoma had just been stolen from 20766 Road 23. Surveillance footage showed a suspect in a black hoodie and jeans. Deputies began a wide search for the vehicle.
Soon after, another call from 21087 Road 24 revealed the abandoned Dodge Charger—the same one reported stolen earlier. A female suspect was seen nearby wrapped in a gray blanket. After a search of the property, Tamara Morris was found hiding in a calf hut and taken into custody. Her wet clothing and one shoe were recovered at the scene.
Around 9 a.m., another tip came in: the stolen Toyota Tacoma was found in a ditch nearby. A male suspect, later identified as Frank Ortega, was seen fleeing on foot. He was located and arrested by Sheriff Dave Martin after crossing railroad tracks and a fence line.
Both suspects have extensive criminal histories. Morris, who had a felony warrant from Adams County, now faces charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and burglary. Ortega had a felony drug warrant from Jefferson County and will be charged with trespassing and motor vehicle theft.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
