By Aaron Falk
The Salt Lake Tribune
Prosecutors have filed charges against a man accused of firing at a Uintah County sheriff’s deputy last week, prompting a two-day manhunt.
Dallas A. Rowley, 66, faces one count each of attempted murder, a first-degree felony, and failing to respond to an officer’s signal, a third-degree felony.
He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in 8th District Court on Tuesday morning.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in court, Deputy Mike Lourenco spotted Rowley’s white Chevrolet Suburban last Thursday near Red Wash Road and Highway 45. The deputy said he noticed a handgun within Rowley’s reach and asked him to step outside the car for a sobriety test. The Vernal man drove off in his vehicle and Lourenco followed.
Lourenco drove up behind Rowley’s vehicle and saw a rifle pointed at him from the driver’s window, court documents state. The deputy “laid over in his seat.” Police say the patrol car was shot at least 10 times.
“Three bullet holes are in the windshield in a pattern than would have hit Deputy Lourenco in the chest, neck or head if he had remained in a upright, seated position,” according to the affidavit.
Police searched for Rowley for two days before finding him Saturday afternoon near the White River in the southern part of Uintah County.
Another Uintah County deputy spotted the Suburban. He blocked the road with his patrol car and Rowley drove up to him, Lt. John Laursen said. The deputy held him Rowley gunpoint, and Rowley said he wanted to turn himself in, Laursen said.
“Dallas recognized the sheriff,” Laursen said.
Rowley was booked into the Uintah County jail. His bail has been set at $500,000.
Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune