Stolen Tow Truck Crashes - 06.28.21 ( CO) "Updated"

[TowNews]

Rudy Salazar Accused Of Stealing Tow Truck, Ramming Multiple Drivers

 

A Weld County man faces several charges after police say he stole a tow truck on Monday and crashed into multiple vehicles, including one driven by a Greeley police sergeant.

 

 

GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) — A Weld County man is facing several charges after allegedly stealing a tow truck, ramming it into concrete poles outside a security gate at Greeley Police Department headquarters, ramming a police sergeant and trying to gain access to the building.

 

According to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Rudy Salazar is a resident of the Hill-N-Park neighborhood in unincorporated Weld County just south of Greeley.

 

The Sheriff’s Office says calls came in around 8 a.m. Monday that Salazar stole a tow truck, was under the influence of drugs and was crashing into stationary objects and other vehicles as he drove to Greeley.

 

Salazar veered into the wrong lane of traffic and crashed into multiple oncoming cars on his way to the Greeley Police Department headquarters, according to a press release.

 

He then crashed the tow truck into a sergeant who was leaving their personal vehicle, before turning toward the gate at the entrance of the police parking lot. He narrowly missed a second sergeant in the same area.

 

The Weld County Sheriff’s Office says Salazar then rammed into the gate’s control panel when the stolen tow truck broke down. He then crawled under the security gate and tried to run into the building before officers detained him.

 

The Weld County Sheriff’s Office provided pictures of the stolen tow truck at the scene.

 

Salazar and one victim were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. It is unclear if that victim is the police sergeant Salazar allegedly rammed with the truck. FOX31 is reaching out to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office for clarification.

Salazar is facing several felony charges, including five counts of attempted first-degree assault, one count of aggravated motor vehicle theft, one count of criminal mischief and one count of violating the terms of his parole. He also faces one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.

 

He is being held at the Weld County jail.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

[TowZone]

Man accused of crashing stolen tow truck into Greeley Police Department receives bond reduction

 

The 38-year-old man accused of driving a stolen tow truck and crashing into the Greeley Police Department is receiving a $25,000 bond reduction with conditions after a disposition hearing Wednesday.

 

On Wednesday afternoon, Rudy Salazar of Hill-N-Park appeared virtually at his second disposition hearing, along with Public Defender Leah Scaduto, who asked the court to consider a $50,000 bond reduction.

 

Scaduto told the court Salazar missed a court appearance in December because of mental health issues. Salazar is doing better, according to Scaduto, who indicated Salazar is now on medication.

 

If released on bond, Salazar would have a strong support system of family members in his life and a steady job at a construction site, Scaduto said.

 

Prosecutors argued against modifying the bond due to Salazar’s serious and significant charges, and his failure to appear in court in December. Deputy District Attorney Ashley McCuaig advised Weld Judge Timothy Kerns that jail is the best place for Salazar to be so he could be monitored for mental health issues.

 

Ultimately, Kerns modified Salazar’s bond to $75,000 with conditions upon release. If Salazar posted bond, his sobriety must be monitored, he must participate in treatment at North Range Behavioral Health and he would be prohibited from operating a vehicle.

 

Earlier this month, Salazar appeared virtually without representation before Kerns at his first disposition hearing. Salazar requested the court reduce his $100,000 bond, but citing the nature of the crimes committed, Kerns ruled not to make modifications.

 

The bond status was left open for argument at his next scheduled court hearing once an attorney was assigned to the case.

 

Salazar was arrested on June 28 after allegedly stealing and operating a tow truck under the influence, intentionally crashing into other vehicles and purposely ramming the stolen truck into the control panel of the Greeley Police Department front gate.

 

Rudy Salazar, 37, allegedly struck the control panel outside of the Greeley Police Department headquarters

causing the stolen tow truck to become disabled (Courtesy of the Weld County Sheriff’s Office).

 

In total, he is accused of hitting four vehicles on his way to the department. One person was hospitalized with minor injuries. The crimes totaled $52,100 in damages.

 

As of Friday afternoon, Salazar remained in custody in the Weld County Jail.

 

Another hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 11 in Weld District Court.

 

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