A burglary suspect’s casual morning stroll turned into his undoing when he paraded past live news cameras without a glance.
The dramatic capture unfolded on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Idaho Springs, Colorado, known for its rugged charm and tight-knit community. Deputies from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office had the area on high alert after reports of a masked figure sparked a full lockdown the night before, on Thursday, September 25. Security cameras had caught the intruder on tape, prompting residents to hunker down near the local visitor’s center while search teams combed the streets.
As reporters from multiple outlets set up for morning broadcasts, detailing the eerie quiet and fresh wave of break-ins, the suspect appeared in plain sight. Richard Applequist, 32, matched the masked man’s description down to the build and stride, but he ditched the disguise for an ordinary jacket and jeans. He ambled along Miner Street in the 2000 block, weaving through a parking lot and brushing within feet of the crews—close enough for anchors to spot him mid-sentence
One journalist even shouted on air,
“Hey, Mary, check out this guy right here,”
as cameras rolled, freezing the moment for viewers tuning in from afar.
Clear Creek County deputies moved in fast, detaining Applequist just after 7 a.m. without resistance. The quick takedown ended the lockdown almost immediately, letting locals breathe easy again. Investigators now tie him to a string of incidents from September 23 to 25, including bold entries into homes and businesses.
Applequist faces serious charges: two for first-degree burglary, impersonating a peace officer, trespassing, and theft. Officials suspect more links to nearby crimes, and they’re digging deeper into his movements. A sheriff’s office spokesperson called the arrest a one-in-a-million fluke, noting how the suspect “walked directly by news cameras” in a rare blend of bad luck and sharp eyes from the press.
