Between July 25, 2023 and August 20, 2023, multiple houses in the 5300 block of Balsam Street and the 6000 block of Scout Drive that were hit by incendiary devices that were thrown at them. These specific incendiary devices are commonly referred to as “Molotov cocktails”. One house on Balsam Street was damaged multiple times, and two houses on Scout Drive were each hit one time.
These investigations were being handled with cooperation by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Colorado Springs Fire Department. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Colorado Springs Field Office provided technical expertise and resources to assist in this ongoing investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation provided additional coordination and assistance.
On August 20, 2023 at approximately 2:00am, CSPD Officers from the Stetson Hills Division responded to the area of Stellar Drive and Fossil Drive when a community member reported the suspect who had been throwing the incendiary devices at homes was in the area. Officers contacted the suspect, who was in possession of a possible incendiary device. The regional explosives unit responded and took over the investigation. During the investigation, probable cause was developed to place the suspect under arrest.
The suspect has been identified as Richard Macklin, a 21-year-old resident of Colorado Springs. Macklin was charged with 1st Degree Arson and Possession of an Incendiary Device both felonies. His booking photograph is attached below.
We want to thank our community members who assisted us in arresting Macklin. We also want to thank the Colorado Springs Fire Department Fire Investigators for their professionalism and dedication to our community. Their collaboration with the CSPD Regional Explosives Unit was vital in this case. Finally, we want to thank our federal law enforcement partners at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Colorado Springs Field Office and FBI for providing federal expertise and resources.
Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
