Among the 23 charges filed against the Denver tractor chase suspect are allegations that he bit a police dog

A stolen tractor and ensuing police chase came to an end on 15th Street downtown between Blake and Market Streets, July 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

A stolen tractor and ensuing police chase came to an end on 15th Street downtown between Blake and Market Streets, July 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

staff photo

The man who took Denver Police on a slow-speed chase downtown atop a tractor has been formally charged with 23 offenses, including charges stemming from him allegedly biting and choking a police dog.

The Denver District Attorney’s office said in a release Friday that Thomas Busch is facing 23 offenses related to a chase last Friday that started after he allegedly stole a tractor from Denver Water and ended after police rammed a cruiser into the tractor in downtown Denver.

Police said Busch was involved in hit-and-run accidents after allegedly stealing the tractor.

The charges include one count of cruelty to a certified police working dog. The DAs release included a timeline of Busch’s alleged crimes, which include, “attacks police K-9 (bites and chokes K-9)” right before he was taken into custody on Friday night. Busch also allegedly almost struck a pedestrian near 26th Avenue and North Williams Street while he eluded Denver Police officers.

The 23 charges include:

  • One count of menacing
  • Three counts of aggravated motor vehicle theft
  • Three counts of failure to report an accident or return to the scene
  • Four counts of careless driving
  • One count of vehicular assault
  • One count of leaving the scene of an accident
  • Three counts of second-degree criminal trespass
  • Three counts of criminal mischief
  • One count of criminal attempt to commit aggravated motor vehicle theft
  • One count of vehicular eluding
  • One count of resisting arrest
  • One count of cruelty to a certified police working dog

Busch is scheduled to appear in court July 30 for advisement.

 

 

 

 

Weird times

Denverite is powered by you. In these weird times, the local vigilance, the local context, the local flavor — it’s powered through your donations. If you’d miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today.

You’re our superpower

Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.

You’re our superpower

Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.