Colorado Springs police arrest suspect for allegedly providing handguns to minors

(COLORADO SPRINGS) – The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) announced that a suspect who allegedly distributed handguns to minors was arrested on firearms charges following an investigation into several known violent offenders with alleged ties to a local gang.

According to CSPD, detectives from the Strategic Investigations Unit (SIU) began investigating in early 2024 and found that an offender, identified as 22-year-old Ramon Garcia, allegedly possessed multiple firearms, provided handguns to minors, and had also previously eluded police. Police said Garcia is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction for a violent crime.

On Wednesday, June 26, Garcia was pursued to the 7700 block of Penway Heights near Constitution Avenue and Marksheffel Road. According to CSPD, Garcia and a 17-year-old boy were seen walking toward Garcia’s vehicle, and when officers attempted to contact the two, Garcia attempted to escape police in his vehicle before running into a parked car. Garcia and the teen then attempted to flee from officers, but were quickly apprehended.

According to CSPD, the teen was found to be in possession of a “Glock switch,” an aftermarket device that, when attached to a semi-automatic pistol, enables it to fire fully automatically. A search warrant was then executed on Garcia’s residence, where police say they found an AR-style rifle and a 50-round drum magazine for the pistol.

Garcia is charged with possession of a firearm as a prior felon, furnishing a pistol to a juvenile, possession of a dangerous weapon and other firearm-related offenses. The teenager is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a pistol as a juvenile.