The University of Colorado Police Department (CUPD) confirms that the suspect that matches the description in a motor vehicle theft and robbery that occurred on the CU Boulder campus this morning has been apprehended. The suspect was arrested at approximately 5:25 p.m. near Hays, Kansas. The stolen vehicle was also recovered.
The suspect was taken into custody by the Kansas Highway Patrol after a high speed chase. There is no danger to the public and no injuries have been reported.
At approximately 9:30 this morning, Friday, March 18, CUPD was notified of a report of an unidentified male who approached the reporting party near Cheyenne-Arapaho residence hall and Wardenburg Health Center. The suspect was carrying a black bag or backpack. He demanded that the reporting party give him his keys and personal belongings. The suspect then stole the reporting party’s vehicle. The reporting party said the suspect had his hand in the black bag through the entirety of the interaction leading the reporting party to believe the suspect was armed.
CUPD issued a timely warning about the incident this morning in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus.
“The safety of our campus community is our highest priority. We are grateful that nobody was injured either this morning or during the arrest in Kansas. We thank our police partners at Kansas Highway Patrol for their quick action,” said CUPD Chief Doreen Jokerst.
Police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspect is encouraged to contact CUPD at (303) 492-6666. If you wish to share information anonymously, information on contacting Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers by phone or email is available at www.colorado.edu/police/records-reports/anonymous-reporting. Reference CUPD case # 2022-0480.