A Fort Collins man is in custody for stealing one vehicle, attempting to steal another, and assaulting a deputy.

On December 12, 2024 around 7:30 a.m., Loveland Police Department received a report that a resident’s 2017 Chevrolet Malibu had just been stolen from her driveway. LPD entered the stolen vehicle information into law enforcement databases. Using Flock street cameras, which contain automatic license plate readers, a Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputy determined that the stolen vehicle had traveled into Berthoud. The deputy began driving in the area and located the Malibu on Crestridge Drive approaching Berthoud Parkway.

When the vehicle reached Berthoud Parkway and Grand Market Avenue, the driver (later identified as Michael Cooper, DOB 06/19/83) got out, left the vehicle in the road, and began running toward a nearby gas station. The deputy followed, chasing the suspect on foot. When Cooper reached the gas station, he tried to steal a Subaru Forester from a woman at a pump. The deputy attempted to take Cooper into custody, at which time the suspect fought with the deputy and tried to drive the Forester away. Additional law enforcement arrived and removed the suspect from the vehicle before he could escape.

Both the deputy and suspect were transported to an area hospital. The deputy sustained serious injuries from the assault. He has since been released and is recovering. The suspect had minor injuries; he was released from the hospital and booked into the Larimer County Jail on a felony warrant from Morgan County, as well as the following charges:

• First Degree Assault - Non-Family - Strangulation w/SBI (F3)
• Third Degree Motor Vehicle Theft (F5)
• First Degree Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle (M1)
• Resisting Arrest (M2)

A booking photo is attached.

“Our ability to quickly find this stolen vehicle shows how our partnerships and technology help us fight crime in Northern Colorado,” said LCSO Investigations Lieutenant Donnie Robbins. “The tools are just one part of the equation - once he found the car, our deputy risked his own safety to stop a violent criminal. His selfless actions protected countless community members.”

These charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

Flock is a network of automatic license plate readers (ALPR) installed in public areas. Flock sends an alert to law enforcement if the license plate or vehicle has been reported stolen, is associated with a wanted offender, or is associated with a missing or endangered person. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office is testing Flock ALPRs in various locations across the county to determine their efficacy in supporting LCSO’s public safety efforts.