Denver police say a man tried to flee officers on an e-bike in Baker on Aug. 5, crashed after hitting a curb and was arrested after officers found a ghost gun on him. The suspect was identified as a previously convicted felon and was medically cleared at the scene. He faces investigation for possession of a weapon by a previous offender, and the department reiterated the presumption of innocence. Online reaction mixed humor with criticism of the stop.
Denver E-Bike Rider Crashes While Fleeing Police; Officers Recover Ghost Gun
Image Credit: Denver Police Department
Denver police say a man who tried to flee officers on an e-bike in the Baker neighborhood on Aug. 5 crashed after striking a curb and was later arrested when officers found an unregistered firearm.
What Happened
The Denver Police Department says its District 3 Anti-Crime Team was conducting proactive patrols in the 100 block of West Alameda Avenue when officers spotted a man riding an e-bike on the sidewalk. When officers moved to stop him, police say the rider attempted to escape through a nearby gas station parking lot.
The getaway attempt ended quickly: the rider struck a curb, flipped over the handlebars and fell to the pavement. After the crash he tried to walk away, and officers say a brief struggle occurred before they were able to secure him and take him into custody without further incident.
Weapon Recovery And Charges
Officers identified the suspect as a person with a previous felony conviction and discovered a so-called ghost gun in his possession. Ghost guns are firearms often assembled privately and may lack factory markings such as serial numbers. Denver police said the suspect’s prior felony status made the unregistered weapon especially significant.
Paramedics evaluated and medically cleared the man at the scene; police reported he did not appear to have sustained injuries from flipping over the handlebars. He was arrested for investigation of possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
The department reiterated the legal presumption that the suspect is innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Public Reaction
Online commenters largely focused on the dramatic crash, with several people finding the image of the rider flying over the handlebars amusing. Others criticized the original stop, questioning why officers targeted an e-bike on the sidewalk and urging police to prioritize more serious traffic violations. Some readers also asked about police jargon—several commenters asked what "POWPO" meant after it appeared in a headline.
Police and media outlets often remind the public that social media reactions mix humor and legitimate concerns about enforcement priorities.
Note: This account summarizes information provided by Denver Police. The investigation is ongoing and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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