This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Prosecutors have charged a West Valley City man for taking off in someone else's truck so he could convince his ex-girlfriend not to get married that day.
The 30-year-old man was charged Thursday with unauthorized control of a vehicle for an extended time in 3rd District Court. If convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
On Jan. 18, the man was pacing in front of a 7-Eleven at 700 E. 7800 South in Midvale, waiting for a ride to take him to his ex, according to the charges. He would later tell police that he had taken methamphetamine the day before and hadn't slept or eaten since.
The man noticed that the owner of a construction company near the 7-Eleven had left his Chevy Colorado running so it could warm up. A short time later, an employee told the owner that someone had taken the truck.
The man drove the truck to his ex-girlfriend's house, but she told him to leave, the charges state.
An officer arrived at the company to take the report, but just as he was leaving, the suspect brought the Colorado back with at least $1,000 worth of new front-end damage. The suspect repeatedly apologized, and told police that "his ride never came and he couldn't allow his girlfriend to go through with the marriage," the charges state.
He also told police that he lost control in a church parking lot and hit something. He led police to the lot, where they found the front bumper and license plate of the Colorado.
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