Suspect Arrested In Mt. Pleasant Carjacking
Jan 22, 2019, 7:39 PM | Updated: 10:29 pm
MT. PLEASANT, Utah – An SUV riddled with bullet holes, smashed windows and lights tells a story of what Mt. Pleasant police called a carjacking at gunpoint. The incident reportedly involving several young adults.
“They were kidnapped at gunpoint and taken west of town, where their SUV was taken at gunpoint as well,” said Chief Jim Wilberg, of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.
The victims called police after walking back to town to report the crime Monday afternoon and later in the evening, police found their SUV abandoned, but severely vandalized.
“We were able to recover the vehicle east of town, but it had been beat up with a sledge hammer and then shot some rounds into the vehicle,” Wilberg added.
Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon in Provo, where the SWAT team captured the suspected gunman, 18 year old Alex Hernandez, after getting a tip he was hiding at an apartment complex.
The 18 year old suspected of carjacking some young adults at gunpoint in Mt. Pleasant on Monday, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Provo. Alex Hernandez is also accused of smashing the stolen SUV and shooting… https://t.co/OjPygSIS7y
— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) January 23, 2019
“Detectives were working to find out the situation in the home, if there were children inside or not and we were able to make phone contact with him and he came out willingly,” said Sgt. Nisha King, with the Provo Police Department.
Investigator said in the carjacking case, everyone involved appeared to be acquainted.
“We believe it is not a random act. This is some retaliation, something going on, just because of the damage to the vehicle, and other things going on that we are not disclosing,” Wilberg said.
Police said Hernandez will likely face charges of aggravated burglary and kidnapping.
While folks in this small town have understandably been alarmed by this case, the police chief said with Hernandez now in custody, he believes they can rest easier. “Mt. Pleasant is still a safe community, it is a nice place to live and we work hard to keep it that way.”
