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Man leads Utah County police on chase in stolen car with juveniles along for the ride

Posted at 5:25 PM, Feb 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-19 23:46:46-05

SPANISH FORK, Utah — A suspect is in custody after police used spikes and then a PIT maneuver to disable a stolen vehicle that was fleeing from police in Spanish Fork Sunday.

Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said deputies spotted a man driving a stolen car near Spanish Fork Airport Sunday just after 4:30 p.m.

The 19-year-old man driving the car had two girls, ages 13 and 14, in the vehicle with him. The driver fled when officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and a pursuit down several side streets in Spanish Fork ensued.

Deputies spiked the vehicle’s tires during the chase, but the suspect continued to flee. The suspect drove into Spanish Fork Canyon, where a deputy used a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 19-year-old Thomas Anderson, was taken into custody. The juveniles in the car were the man’s younger relative and  her friend, and they told police they had asked Anderson to stop but he refused, telling them he was running because the car was stolen.

Police say they discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the car, and the teen girls told police they had been smoking marijuana with Anderson and that he was the one who gave it to them.

Anderson allegedy admitted to police he had stolen the car Thursday after finding it unlocked with the keys inside.

Anderson was booked into the Utah County Jail on one count of vehicle theft, two counts of endangerment of a child, one charge of delivering drug paraphernalia to someone under the age of 18, one charge of failure to stop at the command of police, and one charge each of possession of marijuana, DUI and reckless driving.

Both juveniles will be charged in juvenile court with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.