Busted by a BPD Drone: Sex Offender Caught with Gun and Drugs after Midday Threat

BOULDER, Colo. — SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 A high-tech police drone helped take a dangerous felon off the streets today following a tense midday standoff in south Boulder.Just before noon, a caller reported two men pointing firearms at each other near Baseline Road and Broadway.

Within a stunning 75 seconds, the Boulder Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) located the suspects sitting in separate trucks at a traffic light.Patrol officers swiftly converged on the scene, conducting a high-risk traffic stop and taking both men into custody at gunpoint. Following an on-scene investigation, one driver was released.

The other driver, Quinn Sims, 38, of Commerce City, was arrested. Sims, a registered sex offender with an active Denver warrant, has a violent criminal history including assault with a deadly weapon. Inside his truck, officers recovered a firearm and nearly 30 grams of illegal drugs.

Sims faces multiple new charges, including felony menacing, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and drug distribution.”In less than two minutes, our drone found individuals threatening our community with guns,” said Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn, praising the coordinated, injury-free arrest.Sims was booked into the Boulder County Jail.