A man police say stole a handgun before leading officers on a chase and intense search — twice

A man police say stole a handgun before leading officers on a chase and intense search — twice — was still on the run Tuesday.

The incident began about 11 a.m. Monday when a man walked into Doug's Shoot 'N Sports, 4926 S. Redwood Road, to look at several handguns. While looking at a .40-caliber semi-automatic Beretta, the man suddenly ran out the door with the gun still in hand, said Taylorsville police Sgt. Rosie Rivera.

A Taylorsville police officer, who is also a member of the Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit, developed some information on a possible suspect and checked out some possible addresses, Rivera said.

The officer spotted the stolen truck the man was driving about 1 a.m. Backup officers put themselves in position to get the man to pullover while others got ready with tire spikes, said West Valley police Capt. Tom McLachlan said. The driver fled after the officers turned on their emergency lights to pull him over.

The man was able to avoid the tire spikes and fled on 3500 South near 3600 West, McLachlan said. Speeds reached more than 70 mph, he said.

West Valley police called off the chase for public safety reasons. A short time after the man ran a red light at 4100 South Bangerter Highway.

Thanks to a tip from a passer-by, the truck was later found abandoned near 4305 S. 6115 W. Ammunition was found in the truck but not the gun. Police K9's were brought in but lost the man's trail after searching for about 90 minutes. A containment was set up but no one was caught.

About 5 a.m. a Metro Gang's investigator thought he had again found the area where the fleeing driver was hiding, near 3800 South and 6400 West, McLachlan said. Once again a containment was set up, but no one was found.

Anyone with information can call police at 840-4000.

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