Ian Berg was waiting in booking at the Utah County jail about 10:45 p.m.
The 30-year-old had been arrested earlier that day in American Fork on allegations of shoplifting items worth more than $400, a third-degree felony for him because of prior criminal history.
Police say he waited until a booking clerk was alone before he made his way into a restricted area, picked up a pen and scissors and grabbed the woman from behind. He allegedly pressed the scissors into the woman’s neck, yelling, “I will do it!”
That was Feb. 13. On Thursday, Utah County prosecutors charged him with two first-degree felony counts of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault and two second-degree felony counts of aggravated assault by a prison and having items prohibited in a correctional facility.
In a separate case, they charged him with shoplifting, according to court records.
The woman told police that Berg told her that night, “I need to get out of here." She yelled for help, and several deputies came to help her, according to court documents.
The deputies struggled with Berg and wrestled him to the ground. Records show he’s been in jail ever since.
Follow @PaightenHarkins