Local man jailed after leading police on afternoon chase
WOLCOTT — A local man faces at least 11 criminal charges for an afternoon escapade Tuesday.
Police say Mario Atencio, 25, was perched on a mountainside in Wolcott near the Eagle River, screaming at people fishing and occasionally at passing motor vehicles.
Several people notified authorities, who drove out there to see what was happening.
Officers said Atencio did not want to discuss how he was spending a sunny afternoon with them. Instead, he fled and jumped into a ravine to try to escape, police said.
Deputies had to go in there and get him.
Support Local Journalism
Before long, a half dozen sheriff’s patrol vehicles, a couple Eagle River Fire Protection District trucks and two ambulances were parked along the shoulder beside Interstate 70 between Edwards and Wolcott.
“Due to the suspect’s behavior, we have reason to believe he was under the influence of illegal drugs,” the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Atencio was taken to the Vail Valley Medical Center for treatment, and then down to the Eagle County jail.
So far, Atencio will be facing charges of:
• Three counts assault on a police officer
• One count trying to disarm a police officer
• Five counts criminal mischief
• Resisting arrest
• Bond violation
