Suspect Steals Fire Truck After Release from Colorado Prison

A man is being investigated for allegedly stealing a fire truck parked outside a Colorado prison early Wednesday morning, just after his release, as reported by the Boulder Police Department.

This unexpected event led to a multi-agency chase, with law enforcement using tire deflation devices on the highway before the situation escalated into a short foot pursuit in suburban Denver.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Takashi Johnson from Richmond, has a lengthy criminal background. He was initially charged with third-degree criminal trespassing, before the fire truck theft added to his record.

Authorities noted that the incident caused considerable damage to a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office fire rescue vehicle, along with several other response vehicles. Thankfully, a police officer sustained only minor injuries during the chase.

Johnson was first taken into custody around midnight after police received reports of a man attempting to enter cars and homes in a neighborhood just before midnight. He was released at approximately 3:30 a.m. due to Colorado state laws, with fire rescue teams arriving shortly after for an unrelated medical call.

While rescue crews worked in the jail’s booking area, Johnson is accused of climbing into a fire truck and driving it about a mile before being spotted by law enforcement personnel from both the Boulder police and sheriff’s office.

Johnson allegedly continued to evade capture, refusing to stop, and eventually reached a major interstate about ten miles to the east.

Officers from nearby Longmont were called in to assist and set up stop bars at several points along the highway. However, Johnson lost control of the fire truck and fled on foot.

According to police, he jumped out and ran but was quickly apprehended by deputies and officers.

Fortunately, while there were no serious injuries reported to first responders or the public, a Boulder County sheriff’s deputy did suffer minor injuries during the pursuit, but Johnson himself was uninjured at the time of his arrest. One of the City of Boulder’s fire engines, specifically Boulder Fire Rescue Engine 143, sustained significant damage and is currently under review by the City’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

In addition to the damage to the fire truck, two Boulder County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were significantly damaged, while another unit sustained minor damage.

Johnson now faces nine new charges including interfering with peace officers, emergency service providers, and volunteers, two counts of felony auto theft, resisting arrest, reckless driving, and several other serious offenses.