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West Valley City • Two police officers were shot Friday night while trying to apprehend an armed robbery suspect.

Around 9:15 p.m., police spotted a car that matched the description of a vehicle used in a Taylorsville armed robbery earlier in the night near 5400 South and Bangerter Highway, said Sgt. Mike Powell, West Valley City police spokesman.

Officers tried to pull over the vehicle, but the driver fled, firing several rounds at the police, Powell said.

A chase ensued that led multiple police vehicles through West Valley City.

"The suspect continued to be very aggressive and violent in nature and continued to fire rounds at the officers," Powell said.

The chase came to an end near 2400 West 3500 South. Powell did not say how the car was stopped.

The suspect continued to fire rounds at officers, who returned fire. Powell said two officers were shot in the exchange of gunfire. They were hospitalized in stable condition. Powell said police believe they were hit by gunfire from the suspect.

The suspect was shot and killed by police, Powell said. A body covered with a sheet was visible on 3500 South under the Interstate 215 South overpass Friday night.

Witnesses said they saw about 10 officers chasing the suspect before he was shot.

Powell had no information about the man, except to say it is believed he had an active criminal history.

The chase caused long delays on I-215, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

Witness Chris Unew said he was driving on 3600 West when the suspect's car suddenly pulled in front of him, nearly hitting him and his friends as they turned onto 3500 South. His friend Ezkial Lengford, who was also in the car, said they saw at least 10 police vehicles rushing to the scene.

"It was a strange sight to see that many cop cars," Lengford said. They saw the suspect's car ram a police car attempting to stop him, then hit several other people's stopped cars as he attempted to escape.

The suspect is believed to be 31-year-old Jesus Merino, a parole fugitive who is wanted in connection with the aggravated kidnapping of a taxi driver and at least two robberies in Salt Lake City, according to dispatchers there. In a press release issued Friday, Salt Lake City police said he was considered armed and dangerous and offered a reward of up to $5,000 for his capture.

Merino is accused of robbing two 7-Elevens stations, one early Friday morning at 1609 S. 1100 East and the other early Thursday morning at 1157 W. California Ave (1300 South). In each case, he asked for cigarettes, and when the clerk turned to get them, he produced a handgun and demanded cash, police said. Both clerks handed over money; neither was hurt. He was believed to be driving a dark green or blue, 4-door passenger sedan.

He's also wanted on an aggravated kidnapping warrant. On June 19, police say Merino's Ford F-150 truck was involved in an accident at 1700 S. 900 West. No one was hurt, but he allegedly got out of the truck and into a taxi cab, then produced a handgun and forced the driver to take him away from the scene. While in the cab, he arranged for another ride and when he arrived in the area of 4500 South and 700 East, Merino got out of the taxi and entered a full-sized pickup truck with a black camper shell and left the area.

He was described as a Latino man, 5-feet-6-inches tall, weighing about 260 pounds with a moustache and a goatee.

A woman claiming to be Merino's sister showed up at the scene around 11 p.m. and spoke with police.

"They won't let me see him," she said. "He's lying on the ground with a sheet on him ... They have him just lying on the ground like a dog."

Powell said the investigation will continue into the night.