On January 12, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), assisted by the Littleton Police Department (LPD), apprehended Daniel Reynaldo Tolentino, age 43, following an incident that began with an armed carjacking in Arapahoe County.
Authorities reported that at approximately 8:22 p.m., a carjacking occurred at the intersection of Broadway and Panama. The victim was approached by Tolentino while washing his vehicle. Tolentino was reportedly armed but did not injure the victim, who handed over his keys.
Shortly after receiving a bulletin from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to be on alert for the suspect, DCSO deputies located Tolentino driving the stolen vehicle in Highlands Ranch around 8:30 p.m. A pursuit ensued and both DCSO and LPD officers were involved in apprehending Tolentino near County Line Road and Santa Fe Drive.
During the encounter, authorities say Tolentino fired shots at deputies and rammed a DCSO deputy with his car. He continued shooting through the windshield of the stolen vehicle before one deputy returned fire. Investigators later determined that one deputy suffered an injury consistent with a bullet grazing after being rammed by Tolentino’s vehicle. The injured deputy was transported to a local hospital and has since been released home with expectations of full recovery.
Tolentino sustained a gunshot wound to his hand during the incident and was taken to Littleton Adventist Hospital for treatment. A passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody on unrelated outstanding warrants.
“It is a miracle that our deputies were not killed. I am proud of both deputies who faced extreme danger. Despite being shot at and rammed by the suspect’s vehicle, our injured deputy stayed in the fight and helped arrest the suspect. That kind of resolve and grit defines the men and women of this office,” said DCSO Sheriff Darren Weekly.
“The Littleton Police Department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community. We are thankful for the partnerships that we have with our surrounding agencies. We appreciate that when it comes to keeping the Littleton community safe, our law enforcement brothers, and sisters don’t hesitate to step in and assist to do what is necessary,” said Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens.
The LPD is leading this ongoing criminal investigation, while no further information will be released at this time according to officials. The Officer Involved Shooting will be reviewed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
Tolentino has been booked into Arapahoe County Jail on multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated robbery, felony menacing, and vehicular eluding.
