TELLER COUNTY — On Friday, the Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said his office and local law enforcement were searching for an inmate who escaped from the Teller County Jail in Divide on Friday morning. The FBI also joined the search efforts.
The inmate is 37-year-old Chancey Ray Colwell, he grew up in Cotopaxi, but was last living in Canon City.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Colwell was working an overnight cleaning shift as a trustee when he escaped. Colwell had been an inmate worker for two months prior. News 5 has not yet learned why he was assigned to this shift or how he escaped.
According to the Teller County Sheriff, Colwell was caught around 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 in Cañon City. The Teller County Sheriff told News 5 that a tip and picture from a citizen is what led to the capture. The Canon City Police Department and Fremont Special Response Team assisted in tracking down Colwell. They say Colwell was hiding in a residence in the 2000 block of Pear Avenue in Cañon City. As Officers began moving into position, Colwell ran from the residence and tried to escape. After a quick chase, they were able to capture him.
Colwell was taken to a hospital for medical clearance and was eventually taken back to the Teller County Detention Center.
Seven other people were also arrested in relation to the incident, including:
- Kyra Arnold (23) of Pueblo was arrested for Aiding Escape and Accessory to Crime.
- Danielle Hall (29) of Cañon City was arrested for Aiding Escape, Accessory to Crime, and Child Abuse.
- Jaclyn Johnson (34) of Cañon City was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant.
- Elizabeth Marrs (22) of Rockvale was arrested for Aiding Escape, Accessory to Crime and Child Abuse.
- Shanna McCain (43) of Cañon City was arrested for Aiding Escape and Accessory to Crime.
- David Smith (39) of Cañon City was arrested for Aiding Escape and Accessory to Crime.
- Branden Zagorianakos (23) of Cañon City was arrested for Aiding Escape, Accessory to Crime, Domestic Violence, and an Outstanding Warrant.
Sheriff Mikesell says Colwell was recently sentenced to 34 years in prison for a shooting incident involving deputies. In November, Colwell was charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder of a police officer and assault following a chase and manhunt. He was found east of Cripple Creek in the area of the Skaguay Reservoir.
Colwell currently has several open warrants including:
- 2019: Weapon possession/previous offender
- 2020: Weapon possession/previous offender
- 2020: Assault/injury with a deadly weapon and weapon possession
Colwell has also faced several arrests and charges in the past during 2015 including:
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Controlled Substance-unlawful Use
- Harassment-strike/shove/kick
- Controlled substance possession
News5 will bring you more information as it is available.
