Suspect fleeing police crashes stolen SUV on grounds of Little America hotel in downtown Salt Lake City

Police investigating the crash of a stolen SUV on the grounds of the Little America hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Dan S./SLCScanner

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 23, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — A would-be SUV thief fleeing police crashed on the Little America grounds in downtown Salt Lake City Friday night, totaling the allegedly ill-gotten gains.

Officers from multiple agencies were working a joint operation in the area of 8th South and Main Street when the vehicle, listed as stolen, was spotted just after 10 p.m., West Valley City Lt. M.T. Johnson said. “The officers lit the driver up but instead of complying, accelerated away from the officers.”

Turning west onto West Temple, the driver then lost control at the intersection with 6th South, crashing into a tree on the grounds of Little America. No other vehicles were involved, and Johnson said because of the rain and the speed of the suspect no chase was initiated.

The woman driver fled from the crash site but was apprehended after a run of no more than 100 feet, Johnson said. Both she and the male passenger were taken to a hospital to check injuries that did not appear to be major. Officers were still with the suspects as they underwent examination as of 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

The stolen 2022 Toyota Four Runner was likely a total loss, Johnson said, but the tree somehow remained standing. The driver was wanted on a felony warrant and faces charges of evading police and vehicle theft, the lieutenant said, while it wasn’t clear if the passenger knew the vehicle was stolen.

When they spotted the stolen Toyota, a group of four officers from West Valley City and Taylorsville were involved in a joint operation in Salt Lake City’s downtown, something area agencies do, pooling resources to flood each others’ jurisdiction for a few days serving warrants and responding to calls.

2 COMMENTS

  1. What is a “would-be” car thief? What’s going to make the individual “be” a car thief? When they’re convicted as you suggest they actually “will be” (in that case, you’re ignoring “innocent until proven guilty”). Sounds like the car was already stolen and the individual was already in possession of it. At least that’s what’s probably alleged.

  2. Thanks for your article on the stolen SUV, I wish more news articles held just a slight bit of humor like yours. We have so much sadness in the daily news right now due to the war getting daily war updates with the war in Ukraine it’s nice to smile or laugh about other stuff serious subjects

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