This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Federal marshals, after first shooting and killing an attacking pit bull dog allegedly sent to attack them, arrested a violent fugitive holed up in a Taylorsville home.

Members of the U.S. Marshals' Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Force surrounded the house, near 6300 South and 5000 West, after learning Wednesday night that 35-year-old Michael Alan Alvillar was inside.

Alvillar had been on the run since allegedly kidnapping and choking his estranged girlfriend, with whom he had a child. On Jan. 21, a 4th District judge issued a $60,000 warrant for his arrest on first-degree felony counts of attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping.

A probable cause statement says that on Jan. 19, Alvillar and the woman got into an argument at her Pleasant Grove home, which escalated when the woman demanded he leave. When he refused to do, the woman tried to leave, but was physically restrained. She attempted to then call 911 on her cellphone, but Alvillar allegedly took it from her and broke it.

"At one point, [the] defendant covered the victim's mouth with his hand and forcefully pressed his forearm down on [the] victim's neck," the probable cause statement alleges, adding that he also tried to suffocate her on a bed with a pillow, and "repeatedly told her that he was going to kill her."

The woman finally broke free, ran to a neighbor's house and called police. Alvillar fled the residence and allegedly stole a parked, running car, which he abandoned later in West Valley City, court documents state.

In addition to the attempted murder and kidnapping allegations he now faces, court records show Alvillar has a long criminal record including past convictions for robbery, assault, burglary, fleeing police and violating a protective order.

Twitter: @remims