This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Unified Police were hunting for an armed and dangerous fugitive who ditched a car and escaped into the night after officers had spiked the vehicle's tires during a pursuit.
UPD Lt. Lex Bell said Stephen C. Hammer, 24, is suspected of having pointed a handgun at a Holladay Macy's store security officer who confronted him for shoplifting on Aug. 20. Hammer allegedly then jumped into a stolen white pickup truck, which police found abandoned two days later in Taylorsville.
In reviewing store security camera records, detectives recognized Hammer as the suspect, and area law enforcement had been on the lookout for him since.
About 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Metro Gang Unit detectives spotted Hammer driving in the Millcreek area. During the ensuing chase, officers spiked his tires, but he abandoned the car and ran near the Turnberry Apartments, 4422 Muirfield Drive, in Holladay. He eluded police during a subsequent search.
"Hammer is armed and extremely dangerous," Bell stated. "He is suspected in multiple burglaries, thefts, thefts of firearms and vehicle burglaries as well as the aggravated robbery and multiple fleeing charges. He has been seen multiple times carrying a gun over the last few weeks."
Anyone with information on Hammer's whereabouts is asked to call UPD at 801-743-7000.
Twitter: @remims