Fugitive Who Hid in Johnston, CO, Self-Storage Unit Arrested for Attempted Murder of Police Officers

A man with multiple warrants was arrested on Friday for attempted murder after he tried to flee from a Johnston, CO, self-storage unit in which he had barricaded himself. He drove his car through the unit door to escape and nearly hit two police officers. No one was injured, according to sources.

Several law-enforcement agencies were called to the storage property, which is off Interstate 25, around 2 p.m. to arrest Zachary Widener, 41. As officers approached Widener’s unit, he locked himself inside and refused to speak with them. After several hours of failed negotiations, he drove his vehicle through the unit door and rammed into a police cruiser, nearly striking two deputies. He was then taken into custody, the sources reported.

Widener faces multiple charges including two felony counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, obstructing police, resisting arrest and reckless driving. He also had outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court, burglary, property damage and other charges. He’s being held at Weld County Jail.

The self-storage facility was not identified.

Sources:
KFKA, Police: Man Who Tried to Ram Larimer Deputies Charged With Attempted Murder
Loveland Reporter-Herald, Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge After Incident at Johnstown Storage Unit
Denver 7, Wanted Man Barricaded Himself Inside Storage Unit, Arrested Several Hours Later