Cheyenne Man Charged With Threatening Medics With Knife

A 45-year-old Cheyenne man is facing up to 20 years in prison after reportedly threatening two American Medical Response (AMR) medics with a knife.

Knife Threat Leads to Felony Charges

According to police spokeswoman Alex Farkas-Schulz, it all started around 7 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, after officers were dispatched to a report of a man brandishing a knife near the 100 block of North Greeley Highway.

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"According to statements, a man with blood on his face approached a parked ambulance with two AMR medics sitting inside," said Farkas-Schulz. "One of the medics rolled down the window, assuming the man needed medical assistance."

"The man then leaned into the window and pointed a large, sheathed hunting knife toward the medic’s face, demanding cigarettes," added Farkas-Schulz. "When they refused, the man became increasingly aggressive, waving the knife. The medics rolled up the window, and the suspect returned to a gray Dodge pickup and drove away."

Farkas-Schulz says the medics contacted police and provided a detailed description of the suspect, the vehicle, and the license plate number.

"Officers with the CPD’s Crime Prevention Team entered the plate into the Flock camera system and began coordinating efforts to locate the truck," said Farkas-Schulz.

Farkas-Schulz says a short time later, the system, which sends real-time alerts to officers when an entered plate is detected by one of its cameras, detected the truck traveling through an intersection in southeast Cheyenne.

"Officers began driving in the area, and a deputy with the Laramie County Sheriff's Office spotted the suspect vehicle near Avenue C and Drew Court," said Farkas-Schulz. "At approximately 10:45 a.m., officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and took the suspect, Richard Sawinski, 45, from Cheyenne, into custody without incident."

"Further investigation revealed the truck had been reported stolen out of Laramie earlier that morning," she added. "Sawinski admitted to stealing the vehicle and driving it to Cheyenne. Two sheathed hunting knives were recovered from inside."

Sawinski was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center for aggravated robbery and motor vehicle theft.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated assault and battery - threatens with a drawn deadly weapon, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Initial Court Appearance

On Friday, Feb. 27, Sawinski was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Sean C. Chambers on the charges.

Chambers appointed him a public defender and set his preliminary hearing for Monday, March 9, at 9 a.m.

Chambers then asked for the state’s bond recommendation.

“The defendant has a history of failure to appears, the most recent being in 2025, as well as multiple contempts of court, multiple probation violations, as well as multiple felony charges," the state said.

"The facts alleged in the probable cause affidavit give the state major concern for his threat to the community, with brandishing a deadly weapon, and with his extensive criminal history, the state would recommend $10,000 cash," it added.

Bond Set at $10,000 Cash

"I'm going to set a $10,000 cash only bond and we'll see you for your preliminary hearing," Chambers told Sawinski.

Please remember that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.