This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Orem police say a man shot a suspect who was allegedly trying to steal a car Saturday morning.
The 26-year-old suspect had tried to lunge for the man's gun, said Orem police Lt. Craig Martinez. Police are waiting until Monday to release the suspect's name, and they do not anticipate pursuing charges against the shooter.
About 10:45 a.m., officers first responded to a fight at an apartment complex near 1700 S. 400 East, where people pointed out a car that was allegedly involved, said Orem police Capt. Ned Jackson. Police pursued the car, but had to call off the chase after it became too dangerous to continue, Jackson said.
Officers eventually found the car abandoned.
A short time later, an Orem man reported that someone had stolen his truck, Martinez said. Police caught up with the truck and pursued, but eventually called that chase off as well.
About 11:15 a.m., a woman walked out of the Macey's of Orem at 880 N. State St. and returned to her SUV. When she got back out to adjust something she had loaded in her vehicle, the suspect jumped in, Jackson said.
"She starts to scream and fight with him to get her purse out of the car," Jackson said. During the struggle, a man also left the Macey's, approached the SUV with a 9mm handgun and ordered the suspect to get out.
The suspect put up his hands, but then lunged toward the man, Martinez said.
"One shot goes off and hits the suspect [in the chest]," the lieutenant added.
Officers, who were close by, arrived and the suspect was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. There, he was pronounced dead.
No one else was injured, Jackson said.
The man with the gun has a valid concealed carry permit, Jackson added.
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