Intruder attacked, arrested in West Valley City home, police say

WEST VALLEY CITY — A man who police say randomly broke into an apartment and fought with the homeowner and four officers before being subdued with a Taser was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Monday.

The incident began about 11:50 p.m. Sunday at an apartment near 1800 West and 3650 South. A woman heard a sound coming from the downstairs area and got out of bed to investigate, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

"She went downstairs and found a strange male in the house. She screamed and woke her husband up," he said. When the husband confronted the man, he had blood on him and was mumbling something about "the devil."

The husband and the intruder got into a fight, with the husband forcing the man into a bathroom and closing the door, holding it shut until police arrived, McLachlan said.

When four police officers arrived, the man wasn't done fighting, McLachlan said. "When they opened the bathroom door, the fight was on. He came out swinging.".

An officer attempted to use a Taser, but the intruder kicked the officer just as he tried to fire, causing the Taser prongs to miss. The officer then used a dry stun, direct contact Taser.

"(The man) was not done fighting, however," McLachlan said.

The fight continued into a laundry room, where after the man hit, kicked and bit an officer, he was pinned, handcuffed and shackled, the captain said.

Sergio Lopez, 19, was booked for investigation of four counts of assault on a police officer, aggravated burglary and intoxication. McLachlan said detectives were investigating the man's mental state in addition to whether he was under the influence of drugs.

The officers and the husband suffered bumps and scrapes. One officer drove himself to a local hospital to be treated for a bite.

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