DENVER — A Denver man who was accused of driving a stolen Jeep and causing a crash that injured four people including two West Metro firefighters has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to a robbery charge.
Armando Casillas was initially charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of robbery. As a result of the plea, the aggravated robbery charges were dismissed. He received a three-year probation sentence in December after pleading guilty in October.
Around 5:40 p.m. on June 14, 2022, the Lakewood Police Department said agents attempted to contact several people who were inside a stolen Jeep near West Colfax Avenue and Reed Street. According to an arrest affidavit, the daughter of the Jeep owner reported that she spotted their Jeep in that area. It had been reported stolen about two hours earlier.
When agents approached on foot, the driver, identified as Casillas, immediately left at a high rate of speed, according to police. They did not pursue the vehicle.
As Casillas fled the area, the Jeep collided with an ambulance from West Metro Fire at West 14th Avenue and Reed Street. Two West Metro firefighters were inside the ambulance. Both were transported to the hospital as a result of the crash but were later released. Two passengers in the Jeep were also hurt.
No patients were in the ambulance.
Casillas initially denied he had been driving, but later admitted he was driving, according to the affidavit. However, he told investigators the female passenger had forced him to drive the stolen Jeep at gunpoint.
According to the affidavit, no firearm was found in the vehicle or in the immediate area. Investigators also spoke with the female passenger, who said there was "absolutely no truth" to what Casillas said.
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