A burglary suspect believed to be armed and dangerous remained on the loose Tuesday after a 4½-hour search Monday night near western Durango city limits.
The suspect has been identified as Robert Shane Williams, 34, from the Cortez area, according to a news release issued Tuesday morning by the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.
Williams, who goes by the nickname “Cowboy,” is suspected of committing a burglary Monday afternoon near Hidden Lane in Durango. The suspect’s vehicle was located driving about 5 p.m. in the 19000 block of U.S. Highway 160, just west of city limits.
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but Williams fled on foot in the 500 block of Lightner Creek Road (County Road 207), just west of city limits, according to the news release. Several agencies participated in a search that lasted until 9:30 p.m.
Law enforcement used a drone and a K-9 unit but were unable to capture Williams.
A reverse 911 call was made to residents in the area notifying them that an armed suspect was in the area. The reverse 911 call went to 850 phone numbers. According to scanner reports, Williams offered at least two residents $200 for a car ride.
Williams is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was reportedly wearing a red shirt and dark-colored jeans.
A school-resource officer was on patrol Tuesday morning at Animas High School, which is in the general area of where the search got started, but the school was not on lockout, said Chris Burke, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
A Colorado State Patrol trooper suffered a leg injury while pursuing the suspect through brush, Burke said.
Williams has outstanding warrants, but Burke was not immediately sure what those warrants are for.
Anyone who sees Williams is asked to call 911.
“Williams may be armed, do not approach and call law enforcement,” the release says.
shane@durangoherald.com
