This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Northern Utah police were hunting Wednesday for a father and son who allegedly kidnapped a woman and her four daughters in Centerville on Tuesday evening.
Flint Wayne Harrison, 51, of Salt Lake City, and Dereck James Harrison, 22, of Centerville, were each charged Wednesday with 10 counts of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping in 2nd District Court, as well as other crimes.
Flint Harrison, considered armed and dangerous by police, has stated that he does not want to go back to jail and intends to shoot it out with police and "go out in a blaze of glory," according to charging documents.
The Harrisons, who are acquaintances of the mother, invited her and her girls, ages 13, 15, 17 and 18, to a barbecue at a residence near 200 North and 700 East, according to Centerville police Lt. Von Steenblik.
About 6 p.m. Tuesday, the woman and her daughters arrived and were invited to the basement, where they saw strips of duct tape and zip ties on the floor, charges states.
Dereck Harrison carrying a shotgun, ordered them to get on the floor, but the females did not take him seriously and went back upstairs, where Flint Harrison, carrying a baseball bat, forced them back to the basement by prodding and jabbing them with the bat, charges state.
Once on their knees, the victims' hands were bound behind their backs and their feet were tied.
Flint Harrison put duct tape over the mother's mouth and a bag over her head, charges state.
All five females began trying to break their bonds and flee. The men grabbed two of them, but two girls ran to a closed garage, where one them called 911 before Flint Harrison took the phone away, charges state.
When Flint held a gun to the 18-year-old's throat, she slapped it away and ran. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old got the bat and struck Dereck Harrison, charges state.
"The girls were able to break loose from their restraints and started running out of the house screaming for help," Steenblik stated. "The mother was also able to break free and all of them fled outside seeking help from neighbors."
During the ordeal, several of the girls also were hit with the bat. The mother and one of daughters were hospitalized for injuries related to the beatings.
Police said that "retaliation" for unspecified reasons appeared to be the motive for the attack.
The suspects were last seen driving a 2011 silver Chevrolet Suburban with a Wyoming license plate reading "AR83G."
In addition to the kidnapping charges, the Harrisons were each were charged with one count of second-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and misdemeanor counts of drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and damage or interruption of a communication device.
No-bail warrants were issued for each of the men.
Though the men's last known residences were in northern Utah, they are known to have both work and family ties to the Pinedale, Wyo., area, Steenblik said.
Police tracked the men to a motel in North Salt Lake, but they had checked out, charges states.
Family members told police they may be hiding in the mountains "because they have the gear to go deep and hide," charges state.
Flint Harrison's wife, who lives in Wyoming, gave police the information about his avowed refusal to return to prison.
The men may have a shotgun with a pistol grip, which was not found at the Centerville residence, charges state. Anyone with information about the men's whereabouts can call Centerville police at 801-335-8844.
At an afternoon press conference, police said the home where the victims were held is owned by Dereck Harrison's grandmother.
At the home, police found what was believed to be a small baggie of methamphetamine. Family members of the men confirmed they both had been "heavily using drugs in the last few days," according to charges.
Flint Harrison has a prior Utah convictions for two counts of third-degree felony attempted forcible sexual abuse. After pleading guilty in 2001, he was placed on probation, which included nine months in the Davis County jail. Two counts of third-degree felony unlawful sexual activity with a minor were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Twitter: @remims