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In a remarkable display of teamwork, Colorado snowplow operators demonstrated their versatility by assisting law enforcement in apprehending a suspected car thief during a nighttime pursuit in early January.
The incident began when an Idaho Springs police officer identified a black Hyundai Accent with a faulty taillight traveling east on Interstate 70. Upon checking the vehicle’s registration, the officer discovered it was stolen and linked to a previous strong-arm robbery and police evasion on New Year’s Eve.
Despite attempts to initiate a traffic stop, the driver refused to comply. Multiple law enforcement agencies joined forces, deploying stop sticks and attempting a tactical rolling roadblock, but the suspect managed to evade these measures, even striking a deputy’s vehicle while continuing his escape.
"The guys on the ground"
Colorado state plow drivers execute a rolling roadblock and stop a police pursuit cold.
God bless our plow truck drivers! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/vMPtAYcGIp
— Glendale Arizona FOP Lodge 12 (@GlendaleFOP12) January 8, 2025
The situation took an unexpected turn when three Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow drivers intervened. Although there was no snow that evening, the plow operators strategically positioned their vehicles across all eastbound lanes of I-70. After ensuring civilian traffic had cleared, they gradually decreased their speed until coming to a complete stop, effectively creating an impassable barrier.
“We are on a roadblock with three plows. They got I-70 shut down,” one officer reported via radio.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Brendan Fooks from Denver, promptly surrendered. During questioning, Fooks acknowledged being under the influence of drugs and alcohol and admitted his intention to rob a local establishment.
Law enforcement’s subsequent search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia and suspected burglary tools. They also discovered that Fooks had existing warrants for trespassing and shoplifting. He now faces additional charges, including vehicular eluding, aggravated motor vehicle theft, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving, and DUI.
A line of snowplow drivers on Interstate 70 helped stop a suspect who was fleeing from law enforcement on Thursday night — and it was all captured on video. https://t.co/VtKcKA0t0l pic.twitter.com/fviU29KtMP
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) January 4, 2025
CDOT plow crew supervisor Michael Zamora emphasized that such assistance is part of their broader responsibilities. “We are more involved out there than just plowing snow. We respond to emergencies, accidents, calls for help, broken-down motorists. Nine times out of 10, we are first on scene,” Zamora explained.
Zamora described how his team readily embraced the opportunity to help. “They were all immediately willing to help. They all bought in. They wanted to bring this to a safe closure because we had a lot of traveling public and public servants were out there. We didn’t want anyone to get hurt or killed.”
Crew member Henry Hinkle reflected on their fortunate timing. “We didn’t really have time to think. So we just waited for it to happen, and then we just stopped traffic, and once the traveling public was clear from behind us, we closed it up, and it was all good,” Hinkle said.
Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the incident.
