High speed chase in Millard County lands wanted man in jail

DELTA, Utah — A 35-year-old man was taken into custody by deputies with the Millard County Sheriff’s Office after a high-speed chase Tuesday night.

According to the probable cause statement, law enforcement personnel received a call from a resident in Delta who reported a vehicle was revving its engine every time it drove past the residence. The reporting party also informed deputies that the vehicle came to a stop in the area of 40 S. 500 West with its lights still on and the engine running.

As deputies arrived on scene to check out the vehicle, two individuals were asleep in the white Ford four-door F-150. Deputies awoke the individuals, but they refused to roll down their windows.

High speed chase begins

As a deputy was walking around to the driver’s side of the vehicle, it took off.

In an effort to escape, the suspect, who has been identified as Casey Eugen Ortez, traveled the wrong way on Main Street. He then crossed three lanes of traffic and continued to travel eastbound on Main Street. 

According to the probable cause statement, speeds in the pursuit reached 80 mph. Later in the chase, deputies say nails and screws were thrown from the suspect’s vehicle in an attempt to puncture the tires on the vehicles of the law enforcement personnel. 

The chase continued on Highway 50 to the junction with SR-125 with speeds in excess of 90. The probable cause statement says the suspect was driving in the middle of the road several times. A northbound vehicle was forced off the highway to avoid a collision with the suspect’s vehicle. 

The chase ends in Holden

Eventually, the vehicle was spiked at milepost 107 on Highway 50. It was also spiked on the passenger side at the junction of SR-100 and Highway 50.  However, the vehicle was able to make it to Holden. 

The pursuit ended at the Holden Cemetary when law enforcement got the suspect boxed in. 

After a brief attempt to escape, Ortez and his passenger, Brandy Roe, were arrested. 

In a search of the vehicle, law enforcement personnel found multiple loaded syringes with a clear substance in them. The probable cause statement said, “and it all tested presumptive for methamphetamine.” 

Additionally, authorities also found a 4-inch blade knife next to the driver’s seat. During the chase, the probable cause statement says a gun case was thrown out the suspect’s vehicle. It was later located to have a shotgun inside.

Ortez was wanted by the Utah State Board of Pardons, regarding another matter.

Ortez was booked into the Millard County Jail in connection to 10 charges, including five felonies. He was booked for investigation of possession of a weapon by a restricted person and receive or transfer of a stolen vehicle. Both of those are second degree felonies.

He was also booked for investigation of assault of a peace officer, failure to stop at the command of police, and another possession of a weapon by a restricted person. All three of those are third-degree felonies.

Read more:

• Arizona man in jail following highspeed chase in southern Utah
• Police investigating high speed chase that led them through Davis and Weber Counties

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