COALVILLE, Utah, July 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 19-year-old man was arrested Saturday near Coalville after officials searching for a missing girl said her phone pinged in Summit County.
“Shortly after, dispatch received a call that three young females had been dropped off in the rest area near milepost 146 on I-80, and I proceeded to respond to that location,” says an affidavit filed by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper in the arrest of Pedro Chavez Lara, the vehicle’s driver.
“It was quickly discovered the females were those reported missing. After a short time passed the vehicle which had originally dropped them off returned to the scene and a felony stop was conducted on the vehicle.”
At that point, the vehicle in question was occupied by three adults and two children, the statement says.
“The adults were detained for further investigation. As I approached the driver door I observed a glass pipe with a white residue inside and a burnt end. The driver who had been detained had a package of cigarettes in his pocket, inside the box I observed two small blue baggies which contained a crystal like substance.
“While speaking with the driver I observed indicators common with recent drug use. The driver was later advised of the DUI admonitions and submitted to a chemical blood test.
“While being interviewed the subject stated he had knowledge that the 14-year-old female that was in the vehicle was a delinquent and he knowingly continued to transport her cross country from Iowa to Utah with the end destination being California.”
Lara was arrested for investigation of:
- Kidnapping, a second-degree felony
- Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult, a third-degree felony
- Possession of a controlled substances schedule I/II/analog, a class A misdemeanor
- Five counts of driving under the influence with a passenger younger than 16, a class A misdemeanor
- Driving under the influence, first offense in 10 years, a class B misdemeanor
- Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor
- Failure to secure seat belt for child age 8 to 16, an infraction
- Failure to provide child restraint device for child younger than 8, an infraction
- No valid license, never obtained, an infraction
Charges will be determined by the Summit County district attorney. Lara was ordered held without bail.
