Man arrested east of Boulder on suspicion of commercial burglaries, auto theft

Arapahoe Ridge High School was put on a secure status Thursday morning as deputies chased a man accused of a series of thefts and burglaries.

Taurian Smith, 24, is facing more than 30 charges including second-degree burglary, second-degree motor vehicle theft; vehicular eluding; theft; criminal mischief; resisting arrest; theft from building; criminal mischief; reckless endangerment; theft from yard; and possession of burglary tools.

Deputies believe more charges are expected as he is suspected of crimes in a neighboring jurisdiction.

Smith is currently in the Boulder County Jail without bond. He is set for his hearing on advisement this afternoon.

Smith was sentenced to probation in 2021 for a Longmont shooting in which a teen was seriously injured . He was on probation when this incident occurred.

At 8 a.m. Thursday, a local business owner contacted law enforcement and reported a stolen vehicle that they were tracking. The business owner gave the location of the vehicle, leading multiple agencies to respond as the driver kept evading law enforcement.

According to the release, the driver — later identified as Smith — eventually drove the car into a ditch just west of Westview Drive and Meadowlark Drive, near Arapahoe Ridge High School. Smith fled on foot and law enforcement followed, prompting the school to go onto a secure status.

In the 6300 block of Arapahoe Road, Smith was surrounded and was being uncooperative, according to the police. Police used a stun gun on Smith, who was taken to the hospital.

Assisting agencies included, the Boulder Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Longmont Public Safety, AMR Ambulance, and Boulder Fire-Rescue.