BOULDER, Colo. (KKTV) – Just minutes after being released from Boulder County Jail on Wednesday morning, the Boulder Police Department (BPD) said a suspect stole a fire engine, causing “significant” damage to that vehicle and damaging three Boulder County Sheriff’s Office vehicles as well.
The incident began when the suspect, Richmond Takashi Johnson, was detained on a trespassing charge around midnight on April 28. BPD said he was booked and released just after 3:30 a.m., in line with Colorado law.
Boulder Fire-Rescue responded to the jail at 3:39 a.m. for an unrelated medical call. According to BPD, while first responders were treating the patient, Johnson drove away in the fire engine.
Sheriff’s Office deputies started a pursuit, requesting support from Boulder Police. When the suspect started driving north on Highway 287, officers with the Longmont Police Department deployed tools to deflate the truck’s tires.
The pursuit ended in downtown Longmont, where police said Johnson lost control of the engine and ran away on foot. He was arrested by sheriff’s deputies and Longmont Police.
One deputy sustained a minor injury during the chase.
Johnson faces multiple charges, including felony criminal mischief, reckless driving, felony motor vehicle theft, and reckless endangerment.
