Stolen Car Crashes Into Denver Home After Police Chase

Homeowner describes hearing the impact as the stolen vehicle slammed into his detached garage, sparking a fire.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:04am

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A homeowner in Denver's Oneida neighborhood was awoken early Monday morning by the sound of a stolen Subaru crashing into his detached garage after a police chase. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled the scene on foot, but no one was injured in the incident. The homeowner, Greg Berning, expressed frustration over the pursuit policy that led to the crash in a residential area.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges police departments face in balancing public safety with the need to hold criminals accountable during high-speed chases. It also raises questions about the appropriate thresholds for when to initiate and discontinue vehicle pursuits, especially in densely populated urban neighborhoods.

The details

According to the Aurora Police Department, officers began chasing a stolen Subaru around 1:30 a.m. near Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street. The pursuit ended near 11th Avenue and Quebec Street as the vehicle entered the city of Denver, where it then crashed into Berning's detached garage. The garage caught fire, but no one was injured. The driver of the stolen car fled the scene on foot and has not been apprehended.

  • The police chase began around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2026.
  • The pursuit ended and the crash occurred near 11th Avenue and Oneida Street in Denver.

The players

Greg Berning

A Denver homeowner whose detached garage was damaged when a stolen car crashed into it after a police chase.

Aurora Police Department

The law enforcement agency that initiated the chase of the stolen Subaru vehicle.

Suzanne Morris-Sherer

A neighbor of Greg Berning who expressed frustration over the incident, saying nothing like this has happened in the 18 years she has lived in the neighborhood.

James Allbee

A law enforcement expert who commented on police pursuit policies and the use of technology to apprehend criminals.

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What they’re saying

“We heard a large bang or crash. Didn't really know what was going on whether it was near here or if it was something further away, and then started to hear sirens coming in very quickly, got awakened by police saying you need to get out, your garage is on fire.”

— Greg Berning, Homeowner

“It's frustrating and upsetting my husband, and I have lived in this neighborhood for 18 years. Nothing like this has ever happened in the time that we've lived here.”

— Suzanne Morris-Sherer, Neighbor

“Ultimately, with the amount of technology that is being used now to apprehend these criminals, they are going to be caught.”

— James Allbee, Law Enforcement Expert

What’s next

The Aurora Police Department has indicated they will review their pursuit policy in light of this incident to determine if any changes are needed to better balance public safety and accountability.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges police departments face in managing high-speed chases, especially in densely populated urban areas where the risks to public safety are heightened. It also underscores the need for clear, well-defined pursuit policies that provide officers with guidance on when to initiate and discontinue vehicle pursuits.