UPDATE: Police catch man accused in multiple carjackings, robberies
Colorado Springs police caught a man who allegedly ran from officers after a traffic violation, stole a woman’s car at gunpoint, then tried to rob a bank on Wednesday afternoon. That man was in court today.
Police said they arrested Ivan Stamps, 45, after he crashed his stolen SUV into several police cars near the intersection of Powers Boulevard and North Carefree Circle. Police are investigating whether Stamps is a suspect in another carjacking and several robberies last weekend.
The incident began near Powers and Airport Road, police said, when a state trooper tried to pull over a black Subaru that didn’t have license plates. The Subaru matches the description of a car stolen from a convenience store at Palmer Park Boulevard and Potter Drive on Saturday night.
Police said the Subaru, believed to be driven by Stamps, refused to stop and the trooper continued to follow him. Stamps then crashed the black Subaru and ran away. Police said he then attempted two carjackings near a Loaf & Jug store. The first attempt failed when the intended victim drove away. However, police said he took a woman’s white Nissan Xterra at gunpoint.
The suspect next stopped at the TCF Bank on New Center Point and tried to rob it, police said, but the bank tellers ran from the counter into a locked room — forcing Stamps to leave without any money.
Officers eventually caught Stamps and he surrendered peacefully.
Two officers were taken to Memorial Hospital to be treated for minor injuries after the crash. Thursday, police department officials say the two injured officers were doing fine.
The incident closed the busy intersection for two hours during evening rush hour.
Police said a Joann Fabrics store was robbed on Sunday morning, and the King Sooper’s near Stetson Hills Boulevard and Powers Blvd was also robbed. Both businesses are near the crash scene and witnesses reported seeing a black Subaru at both locations.
When asked why a man would pause during a police chase to attempt two carjackings and a bank robbery, Sgt. Dale Fox responded bluntly.
“I’m not here to judge right now, but that tells you the person’s probably not real stable,” he said.
Fox said he was thankful that no shots were fired during such a hectic situation, and that officers kept in mind the recent instances of officer-involved shootings.
