Man steals car, drives in circles in airport parking lot, police say

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers arrested a man they said stole a car in West Valley City, then drove to the Salt Lake City International Airport on Wednesday.

The victim told police he was in town for work along with the suspected car thief, identified in a probable cause statement as 27-year-old Anthony Wilson. The victim said the two of them were in the car together, looking for a place to eat in West Valley City, when Wilson began to act erratically.

“The suspect began saying strange things and then grabbed the victim by the arm and right thumb. The victim stated it felt as though his thumb was sprained by the force the suspect used,” the statement said.

The victim pulled over at a nearby gas station and got out of the car to get away from Wilson. That’s when Wilson allegedly jumped into the driver’s seat and punched the gas, nearly hitting the victim.

However, before the victim got out, he pressed the “call 911” button in the car, allowing police to track the vehicle to the airport.

“The vehicle was tracked and officers were able to locate it driving in circles in the airport parking lot,” the statement said. “Officers attempted to stop the vehicle using emergency lights but the vehicle failed to stop and continued driving.”

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The statement said that eventually, Wilson stopped and parked the car, and officers immobilized it. Then “a physical altercation ensued,” that ended with Wilson being bitten by a police dog.

Officers said they found meth and drug paraphernalia inside the car.

Wilson was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of receiving a stolen vehicle, failing to stop for police, driving with a suspended license, assault, DUI, drug possession, interfering with police and possessing drug paraphernalia.