By Billy D and Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
A contract US Mail Truck was stolen in Maxwell Wednesday morning January 9 just before 8:00 a.m. and after a high speed chase on I-25 with State Police and Sheriff’s deputies, the female suspect, identified as Chanel D. Eskelson (34), led officers into the City of Raton and north on Second Street until the truck was finally stopped at Ripley Park near the North Underpass.
The truck, owned by Hoy Trucking of Maxwell and contracted to carry the US Mail, originally headed south on I-25 after being stolen. The driver then turned the vehicle around and headed back north where it was spotted driving past Maxwell by the owner of the vehicle who then notified Raton Dispatch. Sheriff’s deputies then began following the vehicle and were joined by State Police who deployed stop sticks which only flattened the right front tire of the vehicle. Eskelson kept driving north after stop sticks were employed on the Interstate with several ramming pit maneuvers being unsuccessful.
Eskelson then exited I-25 at exit 451 and headed west on Clayton Road and then headed north on Second Street traveling at very low speeds. Raton Police began blocking side streets to help keep the vehicle on Second Street where Eskelson then took the turn to go under the north underpass.
After shearing off a couple of lights poles in Ripley Park, and dragging a State Police vehicle that was attached to it because of one of the ramming attempts, the stolen truck sustained enough damaged that it came to rest on the northbound lane just south of the north underpass. There were no injuries reported and because the truck was loaded with mail destined for Raton, federal charges will be included among those filed against Eskelson.
The North Underpass in Raton was closed till about 11:30 am while officials sorted out the details and cleaned up the extensive debris.
