CLEARFIELD, Utah, Aug. 8, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A suspect is facing charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery after he allegedly forced another man to drive from Brigham City to Clearfield, tried to stab him, then stole the victim’s car, officials said.
The suspect has been identified as Richard Mendoza, 46, from Sparks, Nevada, Clearfield Police Department Assistant Chief Kelly Bennett said in a news release.
Mendoza is facing charges of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, first-degree felony aggravated robbery and class A misdemeanor unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon.
Clearfield Police Department received a report Tuesday at 2:31 a.m. from the victim sayung that he had been kidnapped by a suspect armed with a knife. The victim reported that at approximately 1:30 a.m., he was at a car wash in Brigham City and the suspect approached him and demanded that he drive him south on Interstate 15. The victim entered his vehicle with the suspect and began driving south on the freeway. The suspect then demanded the man stop at a bank ATM and withdraw money.
“The suspect became increasingly agitated and instructed the victim to exit the freeway at 12th Street in Ogden,” the news release said. “The victim was not familiar with the area so he entered the freeway again and continued traveling south. The victim works in Clearfield City and is familiar with the banks located near the freeway.”
The victim exited the freeway at 650 North and stopped at the America First Credit Union located at 300 N. Main St.
“The victim attempted to withdraw money but was struggling to enter his PIN,” the news release goes on. “The suspect became more aggressive, and attempted to stab the victim. A struggled ensued and the victim was able to fight back and prevent the suspect from stabbing him. The victim was able to get out of the vehicle and run from the suspect. The suspect then drove off in the victim’s vehicle.”
The Clearfield Police Department worked with OnStar and was able to locate the vehicle in Evanston, Wyo. However, when the Evanston Police Department arrived the vehicle was not located. Using the in-car tracking system, the vehicle was located traveling east on Interstate 80 near Rock Springs, Wyo. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and Rock Springs Wyoming Police Department located the vehicle and the suspect attempted to evade officers. With the help from OnStar the vehicle’s engine was disabled and the suspect was taken into custody.
The Clearfield Police Department is working with the Davis County Attorney’s Office in regards to extraditing the suspect back to Utah.
“We commend the victim for his courage throughout this incident as well as his determination to escape from potentially being seriously injured,” the news release said.
There is surveillance from the America First Credit Union. The video is considered evidence and will not be released until the case is adjudicated.
The identity of the victim was not released.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
