Parole fugitive is nabbed after chase

TAYLORSVILLE — A parole fugitive led police on a chase and tried to ram a police car Monday morning before running on foot into a back yard.

The man, 35, was apprehended, but not before the front end of a squad car was damaged, according to Taylorsville police spokeswoman Sgt. Rosie Rivera.

The chase started at 8:35 a.m. when police saw the West Valley man driving a white car near 5400 S. Redwood Road, Rivera said. When the car took off, the first police officer called for additional help.

Meanwhile, the car tried to ram the first police car, Rivera said. The officer was able to swerve, but the front right end was hit. This occurred at about 5225 South and 2200 West, seven bocks from where the chase began.

Next, the man got out of the car and ran into a nearby back yard where officers arrested him, Rivera said.

The man was hospitalized as a precaution, Rivera said. After being treated, he was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail. He could be charged with aggravated assault against a police officer and fleeing in addition to his outstanding warrant, Rivera said.

The man has been convicted of several drug-related crimes, according to a preliminary search of Utah court records.