Arizona fugitive arrested in Utah at West Valley Maverik
Jun 9, 2024, 1:02 PM | Updated: 6:26 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY — An Arizona fugitive wanted by Arizona officials Sunday was spotted at a Walmart by West Valley City police and subsequently arrested.
Lt. M.T. Johnson said Arizona sent information about “a gentleman who was wanted in a stabbing and in a stolen vehicle.” Johnson said he spotted the stolen car at the Walmart on 5675 W. 6200 South at approximately 7:15 a.m.
The man was identified as Norbert John, 54. Johnson said he was unsure if the person who was stabbed was still alive or if they had died.
Attempt to locate
On Sunday afternoon, Lt. Steve Burke, with the West Valley City Police Department, told KSL TV that there was an attempt to locate alert sent by the Navajo Nation Tribal police on Friday.
He said a search was out for a 2021 Dodge Durango with tinted windows and an Arizona license plate. Tinted windows are illegal in Utah, according to Burke.
Additionally, Burke said the stabbing victim was a woman, and believes the vehicle John allegedly stole belongs to the woman.
A lieutenant on duty recognized the car while patrolling, Burke said.
“A lot of us when we get those ‘attempt to locate,’ we make mental notes of them,” Burke said of the lieutenant. “And some people are better than others. I know a couple of guys that have had photographic memories, and they get very lucky when people put just pull in front of them.”
Johnson said it wasn’t an active pursuit. Police fell back and allowed a Department of Public Safety helicopter to follow the suspect. Just after 8:30 a.m., police were able to detain and arrest John without incident at a Maverik nearby. It’s unclear if John has a criminal history.
John was booked into Salt Lake County Jail and awaits extradition to Arizona to face charges.
