Denver Stolen Vehicle Leads To Charges

(GERING, Neb.) — A 48-year-old woman faces felony charges following a high-speed pursuit in late August involving a vehicle reported stolen from Denver.

According to court affidavits, Scottsbluff police officers initiated a traffic stop Aug. 24 near South Beltline West and Avenue I after locating a green Toyota Corolla reported stolen from Denver, Colorado. The vehicle fled north at high speeds, running a red light, driving left of center and brake-checking officers. Speeds reached 131 mph during the pursuit, which continued through Sioux and Box Butte counties before deputies deployed spike strips to disable the vehicle.

After the vehicle stopped, three occupants fled into the grass, including passenger Jessica Chaqui Camunez. Officers located a backpack in the back seat containing a container with white crystal residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

During interviews, the defendant claimed the driver had stolen the vehicle and keys from a Denver residence. Another passenger told investigators they were in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when the vehicle arrived before the group traveled together.

Camunez is charged with theft by receiving stolen property of $5,000 or more, a Class 2A felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony.

During an arraignment Friday in Scottsbluff County District Court, Judge Andrea Miller presiding, Camunez waived the waiting period and pleaded not guilty to both counts. Prosecutor Paul Payne appeared for the state, and attorney Jessica Landers was appointed to represent Camunez.

Miller reduced Camunez’s bond from $45,000 to $20,000, with a 10% deposit allowed. Release conditions require court permission to leave the state or change residences, maintaining constant contact with counsel and signing a waiver of extradition.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for December 9, 2026, with a jury trial term scheduled to begin January 4, 2027.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.