Suspect Arrested, Released from Jail and Immediately Steals Boulder Fire-Rescue Engine

BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder Police Department is investigating after a man stole a fire engine right after he was released from the Boulder County jail on a third-degree trespassing charge.

Thankfully there were no serious injuries to any first responders or community members, however, a Boulder County Sheriff’s deputy sustained a minor injury from the foot pursuit of the suspect. There was significant damage to both Boulder Fire-Rescue Engine 143 and two Boulder County Sheriff’s Office vehicles as well as minor damage to another sheriff’s office vehicle.

The incident began with a call at 11:32 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, for a report of a man trying to open the doors of cars and homes in the 4500 block of 19^th Street. Boulder Police officers arrived, detained the man and took him to jail at 12 a.m. Per Colorado statute, he was booked and released on a charge of third-degree trespassing.

The man was released just after 3:30 a.m. Boulder Fire-Rescue responded to the jail at 3:39 a.m. for an unrelated medical call and while they were inside the jail booking lobby treating the patient, the suspect got into their engine and drove away.

Sheriff’s Office deputies started a pursuit and requested Boulder Police assistance. The suspect was spotted at 34^th Street and Valmont Road but refused to stop for law enforcement. He then drove south on Foothills Parkway before turning east on Arapahoe and then driving north on Hwy. 287.

Longmont Police officers deployed stop sticks in multiple locations along Hwy 287:

• Plateau Road on Hwy 287
• Pike and Hwy 287
• Ken Pratt and Hwy 287

Officers said that because the tires were deflating, he lost control of Engine 143 and it came to a stop at 1^st Street and Main Street in downtown Longmont. The suspect then jumped out of Engine 143 and ran away. Within minutes he was arrested by Boulder County Sheriff’s deputies and Longmont Police officers.

The suspect in this crime—Richmond Takashi Johnson (date of birth 8/27/1992)—was not injured and has an extensive criminal history. He was taken to jail on the new charges below:

• 18-18-104- Obstructing a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical service provider, rescue specialist, or volunteer,
• 18-4-409-Felony motor vehicle theft (two counts),
• 18-8-103- Resisting arrest,
• 42-4-1401- Reckless driving,
• 18-4-501- Felony criminal mischief (damage to city property),
• 18-9-116.5- Felony vehicular eluding,
• 18-3-208- Reckless endangerment, and
• 42-2-206- Driving after revocation prohibited.

Boulder Fire-Rescue Engine143 is one of the city’s electric RTX engines and has sustained significant damage. It is being assessed by city Fleet and more information will be provided by Boulder Fire-Rescue when an assessment of the damage is complete. Please contact the Boulder Fire-Rescue PIO with any questions related to the engine or fire department response.

Anyone with any information related to the criminal investigation is asked to contact Detective K. Euler at EulerK@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3393 regarding case 26-03696. As additional investigation occurs, charges could change.

Mugshots are taken at the jail and can be requested online from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Photos of the stolen engine:

As in every criminal case, these charges are an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

--CITY--