2 people arrested in car theft incident

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Grand Junction Police Department arrested two 19-year-old men for allegedly stealing a car Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., Grand Junction Police officers were dispatched to a report of a stolen vehicle in the 1600 block of N. 19th Street. Neighbors reported seeing two men trying to break into parked cars. The suspects stole a parked Dodge Charger that was still running with the keys in the ignition.

After leaving by car, the suspects returned to the scene and attempted to break into a residence. The homeowner confronted the suspects, who then left the area he was pursuing.

Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, and the suspects eluded officers and headed toward an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Orchard Avenue. They then fled the vehicle which was smoking heavily.

Grand Junction firefighters 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. They face the following charges:

• Theft Auto
• Burglary
• Evade
• First degree criminal trespass to a vehicle
• Additional related fees

Authorities say this is an isolated incident posing no further threat to the community. The incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.