COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — A desperate search for a missing 4-year-old boy has escalated into a high-stakes tactical operation in Commerce City. Following a statewide Amber Alert issued Friday evening, law enforcement officers have surrounded a residence where the suspect, 45-year-old Jeremy Chavez, is believed to be barricaded. While police have recovered the stolen getaway vehicle, the whereabouts of young Sean Chavez remain unknown, raising grave concerns for his safety as he remains without essential medication.

Manhunt Shifts to Neighborhood Standoff

The situation took a dramatic turn late Friday night when officers located the suspect’s vehicle—a black 2024 Chevy Silverado with Texas license plates—abandoned near the 10800 block of Jasper Street. Investigators believe Jeremy Chavez fled the vehicle and forcibly entered a nearby residence, prompting a massive police response.

SWAT teams from Commerce City and Brighton quickly descended on the neighborhood, establishing a perimeter and initiating a shelter-in-place order for residents. Authorities successfully evacuated the occupants of the home Chavez reportedly entered, ensuring their safety before surrounding the property. However, despite the intense law enforcement presence and repeated attempts to establish contact, the suspect has remained barricaded inside for hours.

Crucially, 4-year-old Sean Chavez was not found in the abandoned truck, and there is no confirmation that he is inside the besieged home. This uncertainty has heightened the urgency of the manhunt, as investigators fan out across the area to find the vulnerable child.

Details of the Abduction

The ordeal began around 4:00 p.m. Friday when Jeremy Chavez allegedly forcibly removed his son from their Commerce City home. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) immediately activated an Amber Alert, broadcasting the details of the abduction to phones and highway signs across the state.

Sean Chavez is described as a Caucasian male with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray zip-up sweatshirt, a short-sleeve shirt featuring a dinosaur print, and blue jeans. Authorities have emphasized that Sean suffers from a medical condition requiring medication that he does not have in his possession, making every passing hour critical to his well-being.

Witnesses initially spotted the father and son traveling in the stolen Silverado near 70th Avenue and Tower Road shortly after the abduction. The rapid mobilization of the Amber Alert system played a key role in tracking the vehicle to its eventual abandonment point, though the primary goal—recovering Sean safely—remains unfulfilled.

Suspect’s Violent Past Raises Alarm

Law enforcement officials have issued stark warnings regarding Jeremy Chavez, describing him as “known to be violent.” The 45-year-old suspect, who stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 225 pounds, has a troubling criminal history that includes past charges of kidnapping, child abuse, and threatening officers.

In a notable 2021 incident, Chavez was arrested after stealing a fire command vehicle in Commerce City and leading police on a dangerous chase. During that event, he attempted to carjack another vehicle with a child inside, demonstrating a reckless disregard for public safety. Given this history, the CBI has advised the public not to approach Chavez under any circumstances.

While it is currently unknown if Chavez is armed in the current standoff, residents of the home he invaded indicated there may be weapons inside the property. This potential threat has forced SWAT operators to proceed with extreme caution, utilizing armored vehicles and negotiation tactics to resolve the situation without further violence.

How You Can Help

The Commerce City Police Department is urging the public to remain vigilant, particularly in the areas surrounding Jasper Street and the wider Commerce City region. Authorities are asking residents to check their properties, backyards, and outbuildings for any sign of the missing boy, who may have been left behind or hidden before the suspect barricaded himself.

If you see Sean Chavez:

• Do not delay. Call 911 immediately.
• Note his physical condition and location.
• Do not attempt to intervene if the suspect is present.

If you have information on the case:

• Contact the Commerce City Police Department at 303-288-1535.
• Anonymous tips can also be submitted through local Crime Stoppers lines.

The community is holding its breath as this volatile situation unfolds. With a violent suspect cornered and a medically vulnerable child still missing, the next few hours are decisive. We hope for a peaceful resolution and the safe return of little Sean to his family.

Comments: What are your thoughts on this developing situation? Do you think the Amber Alert system is effective enough in these high-speed scenarios? Share your support and spread the word using #FindSeanChavez on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to help bring him home.