Police identify man wanted in hit-and-run, kidnapping

SALT LAKE CITY — Police have identified the man they believe was involved in Monday's hit-and-run accident followed by an aggravated kidnapping of a cab driver.

Investigators were looking Tuesday for Jesus Merino, 31, who had been released on parole in February after over 10 years in prison.

About 7 p.m. Monday, two vehicles got into a minor traffic accident at the intersection of 1700 South and 900 West. One man got out of his truck, stood around for a moment and then ran, according to Salt Lake police.

The man hailed a nearby taxi. Once inside, he pointed a gun at the driver and demanded he take him to the area of 4500 South and 700 East where the man had a friend in another vehicle waiting for him. 

Police said Monday that the wrecked vehicle abandoned by the man had been "involved in other incidents."

Tuesday, they announced they were looking for Merino, a male Hispanic adult, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 260 pounds with a mustache and a goatee.

Merino was admitted to prison in Sept. 2000 on charges of second-degree felony robbery and second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property, as well as third-degree felony aggravated assault, and released on parole in February, according to Utah Department of Corrections spokesman Stephen Gehrke.

Utah court records show Merino was convicted of felony theft by receiving stolen property in 1998, aggravated assault by a prisoner in 2006, attempted assault by a prisoner in 2003, robbery and aggravated assault in 2000, and misdemeanor drug possession in 2000.

Anyone with information on Merino can call police at 801-799-3000.

— Pat Reavy

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam