Suspect In Custody After Allegedly Stealing Truck, Ramming Officers’ Vehicles
Jan 29, 2020, 12:26 PM | Updated: Jan 30, 2020, 12:31 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A suspect was taken into custody after allegedly stealing a pickup truck, leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase, and ramming officers’ vehicles.
The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Hector Fernando de la Rosa.
Salt Lake City police said they responded to a call of a stolen truck at approximately 6:45a.m. Wednesday in the area of 500 North and Redwood Road.
West Valley City police were then notified when the driver of the truck began heading in their direction.
“It was such a fresh stolen vehicle that it hadn’t even been listed as stolen yet,” said WVCPD Lt. Bill Merritt. “… (They) notified us that the suspect had rammed one of their cars.”
WVCPD officers spotted the pickup stopped near 2400 South and 5600 West.
“As soon as he saw our officers arrive, he rammed one of their vehicles,” said Merritt.
De la Rosa continued driving on 5600 West, weaving in and out of residential neighborhoods. Officers backed off for safety reasons, but they were able to keep track of his location.
Authorities were able to lay down spikes to deflate the vehicle’s tires.
“Two of his tires were hit, deflated and after just a couple of minutes actually started to come off the rims,” Merritt said. “But it didn’t stop the suspect.”
Police spiked the truck’s tires at a second location.
“He hit a parked car, drove into a circle at one point, and rammed another officer as he was trying to get out of that circle,” Merritt said.
Rosa then pulled the vehicle into a bank parking lot near 4100 South and 5600 West. The truck, now riding on rims, wasn’t able to drive much further, police said.
He then reportedly took off on foot.
“He did take a swing a one of our officers, and in fact it was the officer that he rammed twice,” Merritt said. “She was able to deflect that blow and was able to help get him into custody.”
De la Rosa is facing a lengthy list of felony charges, including aggravated assault on an officer, fleeing, fleeing on foot as well as charges for the stolen vehicle.
