3 arrested after fleeing, nearly dragging officer

WEST VALLEY CITY — Three people have been arrested in connection with a shoplifting incident in which a police officer was nearly dragged.

Police responded to a call of shoplifters loading a vehicle with merchandise from a Wal-Mart near 6200 South and 5600 West. A nearby officer pulled the pickup truck over and was talking to the occupants when the driver started the truck again, said West Valley Police Lt. Bill Merritt.

The officer put his hand through the truck's wing window in an attempt to grab the gear shifter, he said. But when the truck started backing up, the officer's hand became stuck, Merritt said.

"He said he did a backwards trot for a few feet," Merritt said of the officer. Fearing he would be dragged, the officer punched out the driver's side window with his hand and was able to free himself.

Officers eventually located all three people hiding in nearby yards, Merritt said.

Anthony Bulfer, 32, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of attempted murder of a police officer, fleeing and retail theft. Dominic Mendoza, 30, was booked for investigation of obstruction of justice. Sonya Velasquez, 24, was booked for investigation of obstruction of justice/attempted homicide.

— Pat Reavy