Police Make Arrest, Seize Cocaine At Springs Motel

A KRDO Newschannel 13 crew recorded exclusive video of a raid at a motel Tuesday by members of the Colorado Springs police SWAT team.

Police said Derek Dye, 30, was arrested after officers searched two rooms at the Travel Star Inn, 512 S. Nevada Ave. Officers handcuffed Dye after forcing him to the ground. Police said they had an active narcotics warrant for Dye and also found four ounces of cocaine.

An unspecified number of other people in the rooms were questioned and released, police said.

A check of Dye’s background by KRDO Newschannel 13 found he’s been arrested 10 times since 2004 for drugs, assault, robbery and driving with a suspended license.

The motel raid was one of several by police across town on Tuesday. Police provided few details. However, a witness said another raid occurred at a home in the 2800 block of N. Institute St. The witness said a man was arrested there.

“There were police and SWAT officers and vehicles everywhere,” said the witness, who asked to remain anonymous. “The house has people always coming and going. There also was a raid there a few years ago.”

Brian Rhyu, the owner and general manager of the Travel Star, said he tries hard to keep crime away from the business. He believes his motel is safer than the others along South Nevada Avenue, but said he’d rather sell the motel than remain open.

“We (want) to see this whole area cleaned up and redeveloped,” Rhyu said. “That’s actually one of the main reasons (why) we voted for the present mayor.”

Scott Hente, president of the City Council, said the previous council discussed tearing down the motels for an Urban Renewal project, but that the plan is not being considered by the current council.