This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
A routine traffic stop for a seat belt violation turned into a wild car and foot chase involving multiple police agencies that ended with several rammed vehicles, a crushed Utah Highway Patrol motorcycle and, finally, the arrests of a man and woman.
UHP Sgt. Todd Royce said it all began at 9:15 a.m. Thursday when a trooper attempted to pull over a white Cadillac DeVille on northbound Interstate 15 near 2300 South. When the suspect sped off, pursuit was temporarily terminated; then the vehicle was spotted again as it exited the freeway at 400 South.
"Troopers and an unmarked Cottonwood Heights police car tried to block them in at a traffic light. He rammed a few cars and backed over one of our motorcycles, but the [motorcycle] trooper jumped off in time to avoid being hit," Royce said.
The Cadillac sped off again, going the wrong direction on 600 South. Moments later, security officers at the Triad Center reported the vehicle had been abandoned after ramming into a parking gate. The male driver and a female passenger were seen running from the car and then boarding a nearby TRAX train.
UHP, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, and Utah Transit Authority police tracked the suspects to the 900 South TRAX stop, where they disembarked. The two were soon spotted resting in a shaded area about two blocks away.
When officers approached the woman, she surrendered, but the man fled on foot. He later was found hiding in a shed by SLCPD officers and arrested without further incident.
The 25-year-old male, who has past theft and assault convictions, was wanted on a parole violation warrant. He was to be booked into jail after being examined at the hospital for minor injuries apparently sustained during his attempted escape.
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