An accused car thief who allegedly fired a sawed-off shotgun at police from the roof of a Costco Warehouse in Westminster Wednesday night remains in critical condition, police said this evening.
His name, nor that of his female accomplice, have been released. No officers were injured.
The pair had allegedly stolen a car in Arvada at about 9:30 p.m. and were eluding police. Police said today the couple ditched the stolen car and were trying to break into a truck near West 91st Avenue and Marshall Court when they were confronted by the truck’s owner.
As police cruisers closed in, they ran away, according to a statement from the Westminster Police Department.
Police dogs tracked the pair to the roof of a Costco Warehouse nearby, west of Westminster Mall.
“When officers challenged the suspects to come out, the male stood up and threatened officers with the shotgun,” police said in a statement this evening. “At some point during the confrontation the male fired a round from his sawed-off shotgun.”
At least one of the officers returned fire, but the details of the shooting were not released.
“Police are grateful that no innocent bystanders were hurt or killed in their blatant disregard for the public as they tried to escape authorities,” the statement from Westminster police continued.
The officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave while an investigation takes place, a standard procedure in police-involved shootings, according to the department.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
