Man arrested for allegedly stealing Salt Lake City police car
Mar 17, 2022, 6:08 PM | Updated: 6:23 pm
(Salt Lake City Police Department)
SALT LAKE CITY — A 25-year-old man was arrested Thursday after Salt Lake City police say he stole a patrol car.
The incident happened around 1:15 p.m. when a SLCPD officer attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations near 950 West and Euclid Avenue.
“During the traffic stop, the suspect exited the car – and ran away – before his car completely stopped. The suspect’s vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the crash,” read a press release from the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Police said while officers were investigating the crash, the man came back into the area, stole the patrol car and drove off.
Our officers are in the area of 850 South 300 East investigating the theft of a stolen SLCPD vehicle. The suspect is in custody. Media staging is at 819 South 300 East. #saltlakecity #slc #ut #slcpd pic.twitter.com/3JVDUjllzU
— Salt Lake City Police (@slcpd) March 17, 2022
It was later found in the area of 850 South and 300 East.
“The exterior of the vehicle did not appear to have any damage, but a police computer inside was damaged. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle,” stated the release.
Police said the man was found near the abandoned patrol car and taken into custody without incident.
Armando Garcia was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of accident involving property damage, theft by receiving stolen property, theft, fail to stop or respond at command of police, interference with arresting officer, fail to obey traffic control devices and criminal mischief.