Two teenage boys have been arrested on arson charges after police say they torched a truck belonging to a Boulder police officer who had issued a ticket to one of the boys last month, Boulder police said.
No one was hurt in the fire, which police say was set about 11:45 p.m. Friday outside of the home of Officer Kevin Granberg in retaliation for a ticket the officer had issued to one of the boys in November.
“This is every officer’s nightmare — to be targeted by criminals simply for doing his or her job,” Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner said today. “As a community, we cannot tolerate the targeting of those who daily risk their lives for our safety.”
Names of the two Boulder 17-year-olds were not released because they are juveniles.
The incident began shortly before midnight when Officer Granberg and his family awoke to find their 2006 Ford F150 truck on fire.
While on the phone to dispatchers, Granberg saw one of the juveniles outside and began a chase, catching one of the juveniles, police said. The other suspect allegedly shoved Granberg, causing him to let go and fall.
The juveniles ran off, and other officers arrived to join the foot pursuit, which coursed through yards and over fences before the suspects were caught, police said.
Granberg and another officer were taken to the hospital and treated and released with minor injuries incurred during the chase, police said.
Police later determined that Granberg on Nov. 4 had ticketed one of the juveniles for speeding, failure to provide proof of insurance, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The other teen allegedly told police that the ticketed juvenile was angry about the ticket and proposed that they go to the officer’s home and torch his truck, according to a news release.
Both boys were booked into juvenile detention and face felony charges, including second-degree arson and retaliating against a witness.
The Boulder Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The truck sustained significant damage.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
