Charges filed in case of kidnapped West Valley City victim who hit a cop car

A man crashed into a police car to get help after he was kidnapped by an armed man who met him through a Craig's List ad last week, according to charges.

The victim drove to 5004 Cherrywood Lane expecting to meet someone who answered his Craig's List advertisement when a West Valley City man entered his vehicle and pointed a gun at him, according to charges filed Tuesday in the 3rd District Court.

Court documents say the defendant demanded money from the victim, and when he said he didn't have any, the defendant ordered him to drive home where the victim said he did have some money.

While driving, the victim spotted a Salt Lake County sheriff deputy's patrol car traveling eastbound on 4700 South and swerved to hit the car, West Valley City police said. The defendant took off on foot and was pursued by police and caught.

The defendant was caught at a residence near 2700 W. 4700 South and police found a fake gun and the victim's cell phone and ID nearby, said West Valley City police in the charges.

Shawlee Tuli Ama, 21, was charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies. Bail was set at $250,000.

— Lana Groves