SALT LAKE CITY — A 25-year-old man was taken into custody Thursday after officials said he stole a marked Salt Lake City Police Department vehicle before abandoning it along a neighborhood street.
The incident began around 1:15 p.m. near 950 West Euclid Avenue when an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations. During the stop, the suspect identified as Armando Garcia, left his car and fled the scene.
As officers were investigating Garcia's car, he returned to the scene and stole the police car and drove off.
Garcia later left the police vehicle in an area near 850 South 300 East, and was apprehended without incident a few blocks away on Edison Street.
Medical personnel could be seen working on Garcia as he was laying on the ground in handcuffs. It's not known what injuries Garcia suffered during the incident or when he was taken into custody.
Police officials said multiple rifles were in the patrol car when it was taken, but that the firearms and other items were all found inside when the vehicle was recovered.
Garcia faces charges 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.
