FORT MORGAN, Colo. (KDVR) — UPDATE (Aug. 17) Chaz Contreras, an inmate who escaped from a Fort Morgan hospital in June, surrendered to authorities on Aug. 12.
According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, an FBI task force got a tip that Contreras was staying in a Denver apartment and started watching the building and a nearby 7-Eleven store as they tried to determine which apartment he was in.
Task force members entered the building on Aug. 12 and spotted Contreras and his wife standing in the hallway. Contreras fled on food but surrendered after running about two blocks, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Contreras is being held without bond in the Denver County jail until he is transported to Morgan County.
ORIGINAL: An inmate escaped Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan on Thursday evening.
Chaz Contreras, 29, is described as a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes who stands about 5 feet 4 inches tall, according to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.
Contreras was wearing an orange jail uniform and was last seen southbound on Grant Street.
The sheriff’s office said Contreras “was able to escape custody due to an internal failure to follow proper procedure. There was no force used in the escape.”
The sheriff’s office said Contreras does have extended family in the area. There is no information to indicate that he is armed.
Contreras was being held on charges of second-degree burglary, vehicular eluding, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, theft, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under suspension, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office posted about the escape just after 7 p.m.
There will be an internal investigation regarding agency policy violations. Any disciplinary action will be a personnel matter.
The sheriff’s office also said inmate escapes are rare.
The Sheriff’s Office said call 911 if you spot Contreras and do not try to make contact. Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).