Man In Custody After Alleged Attempt To Run Down Officer
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A man was arrested in Thornton late Monday night after police say he targeted and tried to run down an officer who was directing traffic.
Thornton Police received a call shortly before 11:30 p.m. about a driver trying to hit an officer directing Independence Day traffic on Colorado Boulevard. A pursuit then ensued, in which the suspect hit the officer's motorcycle at East 104th Avenue and Fox Run Parkway.
That officer had to jump out of the way and over a barricade to avoid being struck.
That driver was later identified as Joseph Ferguson. Police believe he had been drinking before he got behind the wheel.
A PIT Maneuver a block west on 104th Avenue stopped Ferguson, 30, who was taken into custody. The officer was not injured.
Authorities learned Ferguson was wanted in a criminal mischief case from earlier in the evening at a nearby neighborhood. He allegedly drove the car through a garage at 12300 Glencoe Street.
"I pulled up to my house and there was a car outside and yelling and screaming. He left, came back, left and came back again and then drove into the garage," said neighbor Judy Cowan.
The relationship between Ferguson and the person at the home is being determined.
Police are investigating the motive behind the attempted officer run-down, and whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.
Ferguson is facing multiple charges including harassment and several counts of assault.