Two hikers rescued from armed suspect near Bear Creek Lake Park

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A husband and wife were rescued from a kidnapping suspect Friday morning while they were hiking near Bear Creek Lake Park, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said its deputies are investigating a felony menacing and kidnapping of the two hikers along the 3600 block of S. Oak Way, which is along the east side of Fox Hollow Golf Course, next to Bear Creek Lake Park.

Jacki Kelley, public information officer with the sheriff’s office, said the hikers were walking on a trail and passed the suspect, who was leaned over and tying his shoe. As they passed him, he stood out and held them at gunpoint, she said. There was some sort of verbal exchange before the suspect put what Kelley described as a “leash or a rope” around the woman’s neck and started to lead them away from the trailhead.

Around 8:10 a.m., a witness passed the two hikers and the suspect and saw the couple was being held at gunpoint. That suspect called 911 immediately.

“We’re very grateful for that original call because it had us going very quickly to this area,” Kelley said.

Two hikers rescued from armed suspect near Bear Creek Lake Park, says JeffCo Sheriff’s Office

The witness stayed on the phone with dispatch throughout this and described what they saw happening. At some point before authorities arrived, the husband was able to get the gun away from the suspect.

When deputies arrived, they found the couple and started searching for the suspect.

Once they found him, he pulled a weapon — which deputies later learned was a Taser — and a deputy fired a shot him, but missed. Another deputy used a Taser on the suspect, who was then taken into custody.

Kelley said he was complaining of injuries that were likely related to the Taser.

The husband and wife, plus the witness who called 911, are being interviewed, Kelley said. Deputies are trying to learn if the suspect knew the couple or if this was a random act. She said they know the suspect’s name but are not yet identifying him. They are still investigating what the suspect’s motives or agenda was as he led the couple off-trail.

“This is alarming, there is no question about it,” she said. “We have two victims who are shaken up, a witness who is pretty upset about what he witnessed this morning.”

Kelley said there is no threat to the community.

No other details were immediately available as of Friday morning.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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