SANDY, Utah, Nov. 17, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A man wanted for leading cops on multiple chases in the Salt Lake Valley is behind bars after a dramatic early morning take-down by Sandy police.
The series of chases began Thursday morning when the suspect reportedly bolted from officers in West Valley City.
Hours later he allegedly ran again — this time in West Jordan — after being spotted near 7800 South and 2200 West.
Later that evening the suspect was seen once more, driving through Midvale near 7800 South and 700 East.
According to a probable cause statement, an officer was outside his vehicle, attempting to place spike strips, when the suspect aimed his speeding car at the vulnerable officer. The officer was able to escape injury.
Unified Police officials gave chase, but after about 10 minutes he gave them the slip.
Sandy police picked up the chase a short while later, but he eluded them, too.
As police from multiple agencies tried to tighten the noose, the game of cat and mouse began again, the chase resuming at 700 East 700 South. With speeds reaching more than 90 miles per hour the suspect swerved at Unified officers as they spiked his tires near 700 East and 8000 South.
Despite the damage to his car, the suspect continued to drive.
Finally, with smoke pouring from its rims, the suspect’s car ground to a halt near 150 E. 10600 South, just as Sandy cops moved in.
Bolting from the vehicle, the suspect ran about 10 yards before a police taser brought him under control.
The driver of the car has been identified by Unified Police as Juan Arias, 28. He has been booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of:
- Aggravated assault, a third-degree felony
- Two counts of failure to stop at the command of an officer, a third-degree felony
- Theft of services
- Two counts of intoxication
- Two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
- Reckless driving
- Two counts of interference with an arresting officer
- Giving false personal identity to a peace officer
Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.
