A man accused of stealing a Boulder Fire-Rescue electric engine from outside the Boulder County Jail this week, leading law enforcement on a pursuit across the county before his arrest, has been charged with multiple felonies and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
The Boulder Police Department said in a news release Wednesday that the incident began around midnight when officers arrested a man on a third-degree trespassing charge in North Boulder. He was booked and released just after 3:30 a.m. While Boulder Fire-Rescue first responders were inside the jail treating a patient, the man got into the fire truck outside and drove away, according to Boulder police. Sheriff’s deputies pursued the truck through Boulder and into Longmont, where police deployed stop sticks. The engine came to a stop and the man fled on foot before he was taken into custody.
He was booked on charges including felony motor vehicle theft, felony vehicular eluding, felony criminal mischief, resisting arrest, obstruction and reckless endangerment.
During an advisement hearing this week, the defendant asked about a competency evaluation, suggesting mental health could be a factor in the case. The judge set a bond before it was clear who was representing him. The filing of charges was scheduled for this afternoon.