Louisville Man Accused Of Threatening Firefighter Who Told Him To Evacuate

A Colorado man is facing charges after allegedly threatening a firefighter when he told him to evacuate during a dangerous fire, according to CBS Denver.

On December 31 as the Marshall Fire raged throughout Boulder County, Denver Assistant Fire Chief Marc Wiedrrich reportedly approached 24-year-old Stephen Roch in Louisville, according to a court affidavit. Wiedrrich told Roch he had to leave the area since it was under an evacuation order.

"Roch, per Wiedrrich, said ‘If you want me out, you’ll need to take me out, and I have an AR15,'" the affidavit states. The suspect allegedly made an obscene gesture and drove off in a silver Toyota RAV4.

Responder officers later took Roch into custody and searched his vehicle. They reportedly an AR-15 outside its case in the backseat along with two cases of .556 and .223 ammunition for the weapon, a 9mm handgun, and more ammo. Investigators claim 2,000 rounds of ammo were discovered.

Roch was booked into Boulder County Jail on charges of menacing with a weapon, a felony, obstructing government operations, obstructing a peace officer/firefighter, eluding, and third-degree criminal trespass.

The affidavit also claims Roch's home was destroyed in the fire. Reporters say other family members were living with him before the blaze. Louisville Police Chief Dave Haynes also addressed the incident in a Sunday (January 2) press conference: "I think he was angry and upset like a lot of people are, but that’s not the way to handle it."

Reporters say Roch's bond was set at $30,000, and he's due back in court on Wednesday (January 5).