Suspects in string of robberies arrested

Three men suspected in a string of daytime robberies in El Paso County - including one in which an elderly man was assaulted and another in which a dog was shot - have been arrested, Colorado Springs police said Monday.

Alex Daukei-Cole, 25, Dustin Emerson Daukei-Cole, 24, and Reginald Powell, 29, were arrested last week in connection with 10 burglaries, five auto thefts and four vehicle break-ins since January. The three were arrested at a southeast Colorado Springs home at 4545 Morning Mist Drive, where police said they found jewelry, guns, electronics and foreign coins linked to the burglaries.

Police said the group would typically go to homes that appeared unoccupied, knock or ring the doorbell and, if there wasn't an answer, kick in the front door or break windows to get in.

In the late morning of Jan. 30, police said the suspects broke into a house occupied by a "night shift day sleeper" and were chased out by a German shepherd.

"As they fled, one of the suspects fired a single shot, striking the dog in the mouth," police said in a news release.

The homeowner was uninjured and the dog has recovered.

March 5, the group broke into the home of 77-year-old Chester Pray, who heard a commotion while working in his basement.

Pray, who was alone, went upstairs and confronted the men as they were ransacking a bedroom. One of them kicked him in the abdomen before the intruders smashed a window and fled, leaving behind the valuables they had gathered.

Pray suffered minor injuries.

Police later found a handgun in the bushes by the window the thieves escaped through.

That handgun had been stolen from a home in the Monument area, police said.

Anyone with information that may link these suspects with similar crimes in the region is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at 444-7000. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 634-7867 for a possible reward.