Just Released Man Steals Boulder, CO, Fire-Rescue Pumper Outside Jail

Minutes after being released from jail, a man jumped behind the wheel of a Boulder Fire-Rescue engine and sped away.

EMS and fire personnel were evaluating a patient in the detention center when the theft occurred.

The rig — one of two electric fire engines in Boulder — was rammed by a Boulder County deputy about 15 times. But it was the stopsticks that ended the pursuit, the Daily Camera reported.

With the engine disabled due to flat tires, the driver jumped out of the rig and ran away. He was apprehended a short time later in an apartment complex. 

Richmond Takashi Johnson, 33, told officers the fire truck 'belonged to him because of the Lord,' according to charging documents.

The fire engine, worth about $1.7 million, sustained at least $25,000 in damages. 

Johnson was charged with two counts of felony motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, resisting arrest, felony criminal mischief, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and prohibited driving after revocation.

was s estimated to be worth $1.7 million, according to an arrest affidavit. The pursuit caused at least $25,000 in damagesto all four tires and the exterior of the engine, according to an affidavit.

Boulder County Sheriff’s deputies also rammed the firetruck, while it was going between 50 and 70 mph, to try and bring it to a stop, according to the arrest affidavit. One deputy rammed the truck about 15 times, according to the affidavit.