Shortly after 7:00 am today, Sept. 26, 2025, Clear Creek County deputies arrested an individual suspected of committing multiple trespasses and burglaries in neighborhoods along CO Hwy 103 in Idaho Springs. These incidents occurred between Sept. 23 and Sept. 25. After an extensive search for the suspect in the area of mile marker 3 on Hwy 103 yesterday evening and into the early morning hours today, he remained at large. The suspect is now identified as Richard Applequist (DOB 11/21/92).
Before this morning’s arrest, multiple metro media outlets came to Idaho Springs to report on the search and the suspect at large. While reporting and recording with their cameras at the intersection of Idaho St and 13th Ave, media noticed an individual who matched the suspect description. The individual had walked north across the I-70 bridge from Hwy 103. He continued through the intersection of Idaho St and 13th Ave, walking directly by news cameras. Two news stations immediately called 9-1-1. The suspect continued east through the Maverick parking lot toward Miner Street. Deputies and Idaho Springs Police quickly responded to the area and were able to locate and arrest Applequist in the 2000 block of Miner St.
Applequist is being held in the Clear Creek County jail, pending the following charges:
- 1st Degree Burglary, 2 counts
- Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
- Eluding
- Impersonating a Peace Officer
- Theft
- Criminal Mischief
- Reckless Endangerment
- Resisting Arrest
- 3rd Degree Burglary
The 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will determine final charges.
At 6:00 pm on Thurs, Sept. 25, deputies responded to Ute Creek Road on a report of a cold burglary that occurred around 10:00 am yesterday morning. Deputies had reason to believe the suspect was still in the area, and that he was armed. With the help of a drone, the suspect vehicle was located at 7:30 pm, parked near mile marker 6 on Hwy 103. The suspect was seen standing outside the vehicle, but then he got into the vehicle and fled south on Hwy 103 at a high rate of speed. At one point, he changed directions, heading north on Hwy 103. The suspect vehicle crashed at mile marker 3 and rolled into the ditch. The suspect was able to escape the vehicle and flee on foot before deputies arrived at the crash site.
An extensive search for the suspect began shortly before 8:00 pm and lasted several hours. A shelter-in-place order was issued for a one-mile radius of mile marker 3. Idaho Springs Police, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Golden Police, and Colorado State Patrol joined the Sheriff’s Office in the search. Jeffco and Golden Police K9 teams were deployed, as well as the CCSO’s drone. After the ground search concluded, law enforcement continued to patrol the area throughout the night until this morning’s arrest.
Applequist is now a person of interest in other burglaries that have occurred in the same general area in the past several weeks. This is an ongoing investigation; if anyone has any information or has surveillance footage of this suspect or a suspicious person on their property, please email crime_tips@clearcreeksheriff.us or call our non-emergency number 303-980-7300.
All defendants are presumed innocent until provide otherwise through the judicial process.
