WEST JORDAN, Utah, Jan. 14, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — West Jordan police have released video of the pursuit and apprehension of a wanted fugitive and his female companion who they fled from police Friday in a stolen taxi cab.
Geraldo Felix Tapia, 30, and the 29-year-old woman were located in the area of 3900 W. 8900 South after fleeing on foot from the taxi cab, said Officer Scott List from the West Jordan Police Department.
The incident began Friday morning at approximately 10:30 a.m. after U.S. Marshals who had been watching Tapia saw him and the woman leaving a motel in West Valley City, List said. A BOLO (Be on the Lookout For) poster was issued for Tapia last week.
Tapia and the woman got into a taxi, List said, and officials began to follow them southbound on Interstate 15, and informed the Utah Highway Patrol. The UHP stopped the vehicle at 9000 South and I-15.
“The fugitive then pulled a gun on the taxi cab driver and threatened the driver’s life,” List said. “The taxi cab driver then got out and was fully compliant with police, the fugitive got into the driver’s seat and fled, and got in a chase with police. He started driving recklessly and the UHP terminated the pursuit.”
The fugitive blew out at least two of the tires, and the vehicle came to a stop in the area of 3900 W. Valley West Drive (8800 South) in West Jordan.
Officers from multiple agencies were able to corner the suspect and the woman and set up a containment. Police located Tapia and the woman underneath a set of trailers and were able to take them into custody.
A Department of Public Safety helicopter also assisted with the search.
The woman’s involvement in the incident is not yet clear, but she is likely to be facing a charge of fleeing and possibly other charges, to be determined.
Tapia had another run in with the law Dec. 26 when a SWAT team surrounded a Taylorsville home as he barricaded himself inside and was thought to be armed.
Tapia had been inside a home at 1802 W. 5000 South, according to Unified Police Department Detective Chuck Malm, and police were called at approximately 2 p.m. to a reported domestic incident. The victim then fled the house, apparently unhurt.
Shortly after 6 p.m., SWAT went into the home and found the suspect was no longer on the premises.
Malm said at the time Tapia is an Adult Probation and Parole fugitive who has felony warrants for his arrest for distribution of controlled substances and forgery.
Malm said Tapia is known to carry firearms, which is why SWAT was called out. Officials said he also may have gang affiliations.
