WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Feb. 4, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The driver of a stolen car thought he could evade police early Sunday morning. Instead, he lost control of the vehicle and came to a stop on the Trax line in the area of 3100 S. Research Way and Decker Lake Drive.
West Valley City Police Lt. Amy Maurer told Gephardt Daily the incident began at about 12:50 a.m., when an officer on patrol noticed the car and ran the vehicle information.
The officer learned the car was stolen, and while it was still on the move, other officers came into the area to help detain the vehicle if the driver decided to run.
Apparently, the suspect became aware of the police presence and, even though a traffic stop had not been initiated, the suspect tried to flee, Maurer said.
“In doing so, he tried to maneuver around a citizen’s vehicle and lost control. He ended up on the track line,” Maurer said. “When it came to a rest, several officers were in the area, and the driver got out and ran down Decker Lake.”
The suspect was taken into custody with the aid of a K-9 officer.
Maurer said a passenger remained in the stolen car and also was taken into custody.
She said it was fortunate that Trax service had already ended for the night. Had this incident happened when the trains were running, it could have endangered many people and caused a huge traffic jam.
Officers were in the process of searching the vehicle, Maurer said, but so far the charges would be possession of the stolen vehicle and fleeing from police.
Utah Transit Authority officials were on scene, inspecting the tracks and making sure everything was in good working condition.
