Some confusion arose on social media in recent days because a man arrested in connection to a vehicle theft and chase was using an alias.
The man arrested last week after leading deputies on a high-speed chase near Silverton has been identified as Christopher Bagwell, 21, of Clovis, New Mexico.
Durango police initially identified Bagwell as “James Lampley,” but confirmed Monday that the name is an alias Bagwell has used on more than one occasion.
Bagwell and his wife, whom police identified as Amanda Davalos of Tucson, Arizona, allegedly stole a white 1996 Ford van from a construction site at 3416 Main Ave. on Sept. 5.
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputies later received a report of a drunken driver near a Silverton campground. Bagwell was driving the vehicle with Davalos in the passenger seat, deputies said, and when they tried to flag down the vehicle, it sped away.
The van went off the road on U.S. Highway 550 and hit a tree near milepost 62.5. Bagwell was taken by ambulance to Mercy Regional Medical Center before he was booked into the La Plata County Jail.
Davalos was airlifted to the hospital; she subsequently was reported as missing and, according to the Durango police blotter, she was spotted Sunday afternoon in a waiting room at Mercy.
Police did not have any information about Davalos, only that she is thought to be in the Durango area.
“We’re looking for her right now to interview her in connection with this case,” Lt. Ray Shupe said.
Bagwell remains in custody and faces felony charges of first-degree motor vehicle theft.
jpace@durangoherald.com
