BOULDER, Colo. — A man allegedly stole a Boulder Fire-Rescue engine immediately after he was released from jail, officials said.
The Boulder Police Department (BPD) said nobody was seriously injured in the incident.
▶️ WATCH: Denver7's Claire Lavezzorio talks with officials and neighbors about the incident
At 11:32 p.m. Tuesday, Boulder police officers responded to the 4500 block of 19th Street after a person called to report a man was trying to get into cars and homes in the area.
When officers arrived, they detained the man and took him to jail at midnight, BPD said. He was booked on a charge of third-degree trespassing. Per Colorado statute, around 3:30 a.m., he was released from jail.
He was identified as Richmond Takashi Johnson, 33.
Around the same time, Boulder Fire-Rescue responded to the jail for an unrelated medical call. While that crew was treating a patient in the jail's lobby, Johnson got into their fire engine, BPD said.
Then, he drove away.
"It's so uncommon for something like this to happen," said Jamie Barker, public information officer for Boulder Fire-Rescue. "There are a certain number of things you need to do in order to be able to run that engine."
Police officers, as well as deputies with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, pursued Johnson. He was spotted at 34th Street and Valmont Road, and BPD said he did not stop for law enforcement. He then turned south on Foothills Parkway before turning east on Arapahoe and north on Highway 287.
Officers with the Longmont Police Department deployed stop sticks at several locations, and Johnson lost control of the engine and came to a stop at 1st Street and Main Street in downtown Longmont, BPD said.
BPD said Johnson jumped out of the truck and ran away. A few minutes later, Boulder County deputies and Longmont police officers arrested him.
In an interview Wednesday with Denver7, Barker said the full extent of the damage to the engine won't be known for a few days, and it's too early to say whether the truck will be repaired or replaced.
The stolen engine is one of only two electric fire trucks used by Boulder-Fire Rescue, put into service less than a year and a half ago.
Despite the engine being out of service, Barker emphasized department's ability to serve the public will not been affected.
"Luckily, we have reserve engines and reserve trucks, so our service to the community has not changed," Barker said.
Some Boulder residents believe the theft could have been prevented, pointing to concerns about how quickly people are released from jail.
"I have heard many times where people get discharged very quickly and it's frustrating," said Kendall Laird, a long-time Boulder resident.
BPD noted that Johnson has an extensive criminal history. After he was taken back into custody in Longmont, he was brought to jail on charges of obstructing a peace officer, felony motor vehicle theft (two counts), resisting arrest, reckless driving, felony criminal mischief (damage to city property), felony vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment and driving after revocation prohibited.
A Boulder County deputy had minor injuries from chasing the suspect. Nobody else was injured.
The fire engine and two of the sheriff's office's vehicles were significantly damaged. Another sheriff's office vehicle had minor damage, BPD said.
Anybody with information about this case is asked to contact Detective K. Euler at EulerK@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3393 regarding case 26-03696.
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