By Pat Reavy
Deseret Morning News
UTAH — A fugitive who officials say intentionally rammed his vehicle into a car being driven by a Salt Lake Metro Gang detective led officers from several agencies on a chase early Wednesday before getting away.
Late Wednesday afternoon, 28-year-old Lucas Troy Neilson was charged in Third District Court with aggravated assault on a peace officer and felony fleeing for his actions.
Gang detectives continued looking Wednesday night for Neilson, a fugitive parolee with known “violent tendencies” who had a no-bail warrant out for his arrest, said Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Paul Jaroscak.
A member of the gang unit spotted what he thought might be Neilson’s car and pulled up beside him in an unmarked patrol car to get a better look, Jaroscak said. Neilson apparently recognized that it was a police officer possibly looking for him, Jaroscak said.
The detective stopped his car and had just stepped out to approach the suspect vehicle when the car suddenly came directly at him, Jaroscak said. The gang unit member was forced to dive back into his car to barely avoid being hit, he said. Neilson’s car crashed into the still open door and bent it back so it hit the patrol car’s front panel, Jaroscak said.
Police from several jurisdictions initiated a pursuit. Deputies lost sight of the vehicle near 4500 South and 700 East. A short time later, however, they found the vehicle had crashed into a telephone pole near 3700 South and 700 East and was abandoned.
A helicopter from the Department of Public Safety and police dogs were brought out to search for Neilson. A woman who was in the car with him was found hiding in a nearby shed, Jaroscak said. It was unknown Wednesday afternoon whether she would face any charges.
A check of court records showed Neilson has an extensive criminal history including charges of aggravated assault, drug possession and distribution, aggravated burglary and theft.
Late Wednesday afternoon, investigators received new information that Neilson could be armed.
Copyright 2007 Deseret News