Recently Released Man Allegedly Hijacks Fire Truck Parked Outside Colorado Jail

A man is accused of making off with a fire truck parked outside a Colorado jail early Wednesday morning, shortly after he was released from custody, as reported by the Boulder Police Department (BPD).

This unusual event set off a rapid coordinated response involving several law enforcement agencies. Officers quickly laid down tire-deflation devices on the highway as the suspect led them on a chase that ended in a short foot pursuit near Denver.

The suspect has been identified by the authorities as 33-year-old Richmond Takashi Johnson, who is said to have a long criminal record. Before allegedly stealing the emergency vehicle, Johnson had been detained on charges of third-degree trespassing.

The escapade resulted in considerable damage to the fire rescue engine and several vehicles from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, according to officials. Additionally, an officer sustained minor injuries during the chase.

A Boulder County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, with its lights flashing, is parked beside a fire truck on April 29, 2026. (City of Boulder)

According to the BPD, Johnson was first taken into custody around midnight after officers received reports of a man “trying to open the doors of cars and homes” in a residential neighborhood around 11:30 p.m. 

Following his release around 3:30 a.m., in accordance with Colorado statute, fire rescue crews arrived shortly thereafter in response to an unrelated medical call.

While crews were inside the jail booking lobby treating a patient, Johnson allegedly entered the fire engine and drove roughly one mile before being spotted by Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with Boulder police.

Johnson allegedly continued driving and refused to stop for law enforcement, eventually reaching a major interstate roughly 10 miles to the east.

An officer patrols outside the Boulder County jail on June 5, 2025. (CHET STRANGE/AFP)

Police from the nearby suburb of Longmont were then called in to assist, deploying stop sticks at at least three locations along the highway.

Johnson subsequently lost control of the truck after its tires deflated and fled on foot.

“He then jumped out of Engine 143 and ran away,” police said. “Within minutes he was arrested by Boulder County Sheriff’s deputies and Longmont Police officers.”

“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,” the department added. 

Johnson was not injured during his arrest.

The Boulder Fire-Rescue Engine 143, one of the city’s electric RTX engines, reportedly sustained significant damage and is being assessed by the city’s fleet division.

A Boulder Fire-Rescue truck sits disabled on a street on April 29, 2026, after its tires were deflated during the incident. (City of Boulder)

Two Boulder County Sheriff’s Office vehicles also sustained major damage, while another sheriff’s unit suffered minor damage.

Johnson now faces nine new charges, including obstructing a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical service provider, rescue specialist or volunteer; two counts of felony motor vehicle theft; resisting arrest; reckless driving; felony criminal mischief involving damage to city property; felony vehicular eluding; reckless endangerment; and driving after revocation prohibited