2 people arrested in car theft

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado (KREX) – Grand Junction Police arrested two 19-year-old men Sunday afternoon for suspected car theft.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., Grand Junction Police officers were called to a carjacking in the 1600 block of N. 19th Street. Neighbors reported seeing two men attempting to break into parked cars. The suspects stole a parked Dodge Charger with the keys still in the ignition and the car still running.

After leaving in the car, the suspects returned to the area and attempted to break into a residence. The homeowner confronted the suspects, who then left the area, pursued by the homeowner.

Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, but the suspects eluded officers and drove to an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Orchard Avenue, then ran from the vehicle, which was emitting heavy smoke.

The Grand Junction Fire Department extinguished the vehicle and the Grand Junction Police Department and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office located the suspects nearby and took them into custody.

Marcelino Salazar and Luis Mancilla-Aceves were arrested and taken to the Mesa County Detention Center and face the following charges:

• Car theft
• Burglary
• Evade
• First degree trespass to a vehicle
• Additional associated fees

Officials say this is an isolated incident and does not pose any further threat to the community. The incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.