'Armed and dangerous' man with Gillette ties escapes custody in southeast Colorado
GILLETTE (WNE) — A man with ties to Gillette escaped custody from a hospital in La Junta, Colorado, last week and is still at large.
At 11:37 p.m. Thursday, Ronald Caillier, 38, escaped from the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta following an altercation with a deputy. Caillier fled the scene from the emergency room despite being handcuffed with his hands in the front of his body, according to a Facebook post by the Bent County Sheriff’s Office.
La Junta is about 100 miles southeast of Colorado Springs. KKTV reported that as of Monday morning, Caillier was still on the run.
Caillier, who has ties to Gillette as well as Colorado Springs and Greeley, Colorado, is believed to be driving a white 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with the Colorado license plate BFMW09. The minivan has damage to the passenger side door and a cracked passenger side rear-view window.
Authorities suspect the vehicle was stolen because the keys were left inside it. Furthermore, a 9mm handgun was underneath the driver's seat. Caillier was wearing black and white striped pants and an orange t-shirt when he escaped.
The Bent County Sheriff’s Office believes Caillier is “armed and extremely dangerous.” It is strongly advised not to confront him if spotted. Instead, individuals are urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Caillier was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2015, 2017 and 2019 in Campbell County, and in March 2023, he pleaded guilty to interference with a peace officer.
In Bent County, Caillier was being held on charges of first-degree burglary and third-degree assault. He was at the hospital for a medical exam when he escaped.
This story was published on April 15, 2024.
