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Man leads police on short chase in stolen truck with woman, 2 kids in vehicle

Posted at 1:33 PM, Aug 08, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-08 16:20:16-04

MILLCREEK, Utah — A man with outstanding felony warrants was taken into custody Friday night after he was found driving a reported stolen vehicle.

The incident began just after 9 p.m. when a Unified police detective saw a truck leave a convenience store too fast.

Police say the detective realized the truck was recently stolen out of Murray and attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Abel Mendoza Jr., led officers on a short pursuit that ended near 3400 South. Police say Mendoza stopped the vehicle, got out and ran.

A woman and two children also got out of the vehicle and attempted to run.

“They (police) didn’t know if she was grabbing children, they didn’t if she was grabbing a weapon,” said Lt. Brian Lohrke with Unified police. “But they maintained a safe distance until they could take them into custody.”

Mendoza was found and taken back to the Utah State Prison where he is awaiting more charges.

It is unknown at this time if the woman will face charges.