A suspect was detained after a standoff in Davis County that began when police said he carjacked a US Postal Service truck in Salt Lake City.
Officials apprehended the 32-year-old suspect on Porter Lane in Centerville on Monday afternoon.
They clarified that although the suspect was wearing a postal uniform jacket, he was not a Postal Service employee.
They said the investigation began when they were informed of a hit-and-run crash involving the mail carrier vehicle on 2600 South shortly after 1 p.m. in Bountiful.
The driver allegedly almost ran over several pedestrians and hit cars while fleeing.
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Law enforcement from several jurisdictions followed the suspect vehicle, which evaded barricade attempts.
Police said the driver almost ran over an officer in a parking lot before he hit a dead-end road in Centerville, where he rammed into a Centerville Police cruiser blocking his path.
They said the suspect had a knife which he was threatening officers with.
He eventually threw the knife out, along with several other items from the truck, before attempting to barricade himself.
Police said the suspect began making threats with an item made to appear as though he had a gun. However, an officer recognized that the item he was using to make threats was not a gun.
Tasers, pepper spray and other non-lethal methods were used on the suspect during the incident.
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Authorities said a Spanish-speaking officer was called to the scene to help negotiate, but the suspect still refused to communicate.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody by Salt Lake City police at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Three officers sustained minor injuries in the incident, including one who was reportedly bit in the hand by the suspect.
According to Centerville police, it was apparent the suspect wanted police to use lethal force.
A reverse 911 alert was sent to residents in the area advising them to shelter in place while the standoff took place.
Centerville Police detectives are coordinating an investigation with Salt Lake City Police, the Davis County Attorney’s Office and US Postal Inspection Service to determine charges to be filed.
The suspect was not immediately identified, but police said he is a 32-year-old Hispanic Salt Lake City resident.
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