Car theft from Meeker leads to Hwy. 64 chase

At approximately 10:52 a.m. Sept. 9, a local man was having coffee at the Meeker Café when he learned that his truck had been stolen while parked on Main Street with the keys in the ignition. At approximately 11:25 a.m., a Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle near mile marker 41 on Highway 64 west of Meeker. The vehicle, a green Toyota flatbed pick-up, refused to stop for Rio Blanco County Deputy Will Pena and a pursuit began. The driver of the truck attempted to elude Deputy Pena with speeds in excess of 90 MPH until reaching Rangely town limits where Rangely Police Lieutenant Roy Kinney deployed a spike strip, which deflated the right front tire. The truck then stopped and the two occupants were taken into custody by Deputy Pena, LT. Kinney and also assisting was DOW Officer Terry Wygant. Two suspects in the vehicle were arrested without further incident. Arrested was the driver Alex David Morgan, 22, for second degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, theft, vehicular eluding, first degree criminal trespass, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and reckless driving. The passenger, Cheyleigh Karrie Hayes, 19 was arrested for theft, first degree criminal trespass, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.