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About this report
This report documents seven (7) public-safety incidents occurring in Boulder, Colorado from 5/8 – 5/20 using police reports obtained through Colorado Open Records Act requests following the encryption of routine Boulder Police radio dispatch communications in October 2025. The incidents summarized here were reconstructed primarily from written police reports and related official records.
In this post, I have included the cost of each report. The total for these seven reports was $55.25.
These incidents represent only a small fraction of public-safety activity occurring in Boulder during this period. Limitations in availability of official records continue to restrict how much can be confidently documented.
Road Rage Incident Following Gas Station Collision
Date: 5/8/26
Time: 4:14 PM
Location: King Soopers Fuel Center, 30th and Arapahoe
Cost of report: $8.25
Police responded emergent after a minor collision at a gas pump escalated into a heated confrontation between two drivers. Witnesses reported that an argument broke out after a truck bumped into a car that was already parked at a pump. According to witnesses, the truck driver then exited his vehicle and attempted to use the pump as though nothing had happened.
Employees and customers described the truck driver as becoming increasingly confrontational. Responding officers ultimately detained him while investigating the incident. One witness reported hearing him say, “I’m not gonna shoot you, I’m trying to grab my phone!” The other driver later reported that the suspect had threatened to shoot him, although he said he never saw a firearm. He also said that after the initial contact, the truck driver insisted the car needed to move and then pushed his vehicle into the car two additional times.
The case was ultimately cleared with a traffic summons rather than an arrest, and menacing charges were not pursued.
The driver whose car was struck was an off-duty Boulder Police officer. He had identified himself as such before the confrontation escalated.
Disturbance on Pearl Street Mall Involving Child
Date: 5/10/26
Time: 5:46 PM
Location: Pearl Street Mall area
Cost of report: $7.00
Police responded to reports that a man had tackled a child and was causing disturbances in the downtown area. Officers located a suspect nearby after he reportedly fled when police arrived.
Witnesses described the man as acting erratically, yelling incoherently, and creating disturbances at businesses before colliding with or knocking over a toddler. Accounts differed regarding whether the contact was intentional. The family involved left before officers could contact them.
One witness told officers he was sitting on a restaurant patio eating when the suspect entered and began screaming incoherently at staff. This reportedly included statements about Italy or aliens. The witness said the man left the restaurant before encountering the toddler’s family outside a neighboring business.
Officers also spoke with a woman who was near the courthouse with her daughter. She said she saw the man grab the toddler and throw him to the ground before screaming at the child’s mother. However, other witnesses described the contact as appearing accidental. The woman said her daughter was frightened by the incident and ran to her afterward.
Although the original call involved reports that a child had been tackled, officers were unable to locate the family involved. The suspect was ultimately arrested on charges including disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer after running from officers.
Trespass Arrest at the Shelter
Date: 5/13/26
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: 4869 Broadway, the shelter
Cost of report: $7.00
Police responded after staff at the shelter reported a woman refusing repeated requests to leave the property.
When officers attempted to escort her away, she allegedly refused to comply, climbed onto the hood of a marked patrol vehicle, and later slapped an officer’s hand while being escorted from the area. Officers determined she would not voluntarily leave or comply with lawful commands.
She was arrested on charges of trespassing and obstructing a peace officer. She was taken to jail for a book and release.
According to police records, the woman had been arrested at the same location less than two weeks earlier. In that case, she was charged with trespassing, obstruction, and resisting arrest.
Vehicle Trespass and Warrant Arrest
Date: 5/15/26
Time: 7:42 AM
Location: A residence near 9th and Arapahoe
Cost of report: $7.00
Police responded emergent to a reported theft in progress after a suspect was seen entering an unlocked pickup truck on private property. The suspect had reportedly been warned the previous day to leave and not return to the location.
When confronted by the property’s caretaker, a brief struggle occurred before the suspect fled on a bicycle toward the library area. During the encounter, the caretaker was able to pull the suspect’s backpack from his back before he escaped.
While speaking with the victim, an officer observed the suspect riding past the scene on his bicycle. The officer later located and detained him after he allegedly ignored commands and attempted to ride away.
Property taken from the vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner.
Police discovered an active warrant out of Longmont and arrested the suspect on charges including vehicle trespass, trespassing, obstructing a peace officer, and the outstanding warrant. Officers also located four additional warrants from the Denver Marshal’s Office, though those warrants were only valid within Denver and were not served.
Foot Chase and Multiple Warrants Near Library
Date: 5/15/26
Time: Approximately 3:30 PM
Location: Boulder Public Library area
Cost of report: $7.00
While patrolling near Boulder Creek, officers contacted a group gathered near the creek. One individual fled after being recognized by officers.
A short foot pursuit followed, ending when officers tackled and restrained the suspect. Police reported the individual resisted efforts to be handcuffed before being taken into custody. After complaining of back pain, the suspect was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into jail.
The arrest involved multiple outstanding warrants, including felony and misdemeanor failure-to-appear warrants, as well as new charges of resisting arrest and obstruction.
The Boulder Police Department posted body camera footage from the foot chase on Facebook. This video includes the suspect’s first name. Consistent with my usual practice, names have been omitted from my own report.
Body camera video:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1J8fJV5Nph/
The suspect reportedly resides at a Housing First facility in Boulder.
Indecent Exposure and Attempted Vehicle Entry
Date: 5/16/26
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: 14th Street and Spruce Street
Cost of report: $7.25
Officers responded after reports of a naked man in the area of the Boulder Theater. One officer held the man at taser point and requested emergency cover before officers were able to detain him. The suspect did not provide his full name, but officers later identified him after one recognized him from a prior contact.
A woman told officers she had just parked near the Boulder Theater when she observed the suspect naked and masturbating. She reported that he repeatedly pulled on the handle of her locked vehicle while staring at her, causing her to fear for her safety.
She later told officers, “I was definitely just shaking, my heart dropped… I was just grateful that I knew my doors were locked.” She also said she was relieved when the first officer on scene contacted him.
The man was booked on charges including indecent exposure, attempted vehicle trespass, and criminal attempt.
The suspect is believed to reside at a Housing First facility in Boulder, although the police report lists his housing status as undetermined.
Stolen Truck Recovery and Arrests
Date: 5/20/26
Time: 1:58 PM
Location: Near 28th and Euclid
Cost of report: $11.75 (this was a 29 page report)
Police located a stolen pickup truck after it was detected by automated license plate readers. Officers conducted surveillance and observed a man accessing the vehicle, searching through items in the truck bed, and working under the hood.
When officers moved in, they arrested the man and recovered a suspected meth pipe, two needles, an OBD-II scanner, assorted tools, financial cards belonging to another person, and tools that had reportedly been inside the truck when it was stolen.
During an interview, the man admitted possessing the truck but claimed he believed he had permission to use it. The vehicle’s owner told officers the suspect had worked for him for a short period of time but disputed the claim that he had permission to take the vehicle.
The investigation expanded to include a female adult who was present with two children. Rather than being handcuffed, she was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle with her children, with the door left open and an officer standing nearby.
While searching the vehicle the family had been using, officers found several items within reach of the children, including an unsecured three-foot machete and a pesticide labeled, “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN DANGER/PELIGRO – POISON.” Officers also noted that the children did not have car seats and had been riding using adult seat belts.
During interviews, the man told officers they had come to Boulder to look for housing. The woman told officers the man was her boyfriend and that she had been living out of the vehicle, which she said explained the large amount of property stored inside.
Both adults were arrested. The man was charged with 2nd Degree Motor Vehicle Theft (Retains More Than 24 Hours), Criminal Possession of a Financial Device, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The woman was charged with 2nd Degree Motor Vehicle Theft, Criminal Possession of Identification Documents, Criminal Possession of a Financial Transaction Device, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Child Abuse, and Driving While License Revoked.
The children were released to the care of the woman’s mother after officers contacted her.
Notes
- Incidents described above reflect allegations and preliminary information contained in police reports.
- Not all allegations result in criminal convictions.
- Some dates and identifying details may be partially redacted to protect victims or uninvolved parties.
This update is not intended as a comprehensive accounting of incidents during this period. Many of the incidents described here are consistent with broader patterns documented in the Crime in Boulder — 2025 report.
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