Boulder Police Cite City Employee on Felony Extortion Charge

The Boulder Police Department has issued a felony summons to a city employee accused of criminal extortion.

A local grocery store employee filed a police report that he had been contacted twice by a city employee who asked for “compensation” in exchange for returning the store’s grocery carts. The grocery store employee said the man threatened to destroy the carts if he didn’t.

Based on the suspect’s description and further investigation, Boulder Police officers identified Kyle Patterson, 41, a City of Boulder public reclamation technician. Patterson was issued a summons on Thursday, Dec. 2, and released per current arrest standards regarding non-violent felonies.

“As a city organization, we are deeply disappointed to learn of these allegations. Our employees have a steadfast commitment to public service,” City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde said. “Obviously this individual is entitled to a fair court process, but the details provided to the police department by our grocery store partners are troubling. We appreciate them bringing their concerns to police’s attention.”

Patterson, who was hired by the city in August, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.