Man arrested in West Valley City following Salt Lake County chase

WEST VALLEY CITY — A chase through several cities in Salt Lake County ended early Monday with the help of a police K-9.

Officers pulled over a vehicle on a routine traffic stop near 3550 South and 2200 West, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan. Two females exited the vehicle, but the male driver sped away once they got out.

The chase only reached speeds of 50 to 65 mph due to the weather, McLachlan said. Once the fleeing driver reached 80 mph, police terminated the pursuit.

Other police agencies were radioed to be on the lookout for the man. A Midvale officer spotted him about 4 a.m., followed him for a while and then resumed the chase once the man realized he was being watched.

The chase went into West Jordan and Sandy where officers were able to spike the man's tires, according to Midvale police. The fleeing vehicle then limped back into Midvale where the driver got out and ran.

Police K-9s were called and found the man hiding in a back yard near 8500 South and 600 West. Andre De La Cruz, 23, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of possession of stolen property, theft, fleeing and drug possession.

— Pat Reavy