Man in custody after allegedly stealing a marked patrol car

SALT LAKE CITY — A 25-year-old man was taken into custody by Salt Lake City police after allegedly stealing a marked patrol car after he fled the scene following a traffic stop.

According to police, the incident began at Thursday morning at 1:16 a.m. Officers made an effort to stop a vehicle for traffic violations in the area of 950 West Euclid Avenue.

Stealing a marked patrol car

As the traffic stop was being executed, the suspect jumped out of the vehicle before it came to a complete stop. Police say the suspect’s vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of the crash, according to police. 

Police say as officers investigated the crash, the suspect came back into the area, got into the police car and drove off. 

Later, Salt Lake City police located the patrol car abandoned in the area of 850 South 300 East. Police say there was no damage to the exterior of the car. However, a computer inside the patrol car was damaged. Additionally, police say there was nothing stolen from the vehicle.

Officers located the suspect nearby and was taken into custody without incident. The suspect has been identified as Armando Garcia, who has been booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail under investigation for accident involving property damage; theft by receiving stolen property; theft; fail to stop or respond at command of police, interference with arresting officer, fail to obey traffic control devices and criminal mischief. 

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