Man arrested at Salt Lake Int’l Airport after attempting to steal backpack and officer’s weapon

SALT LAKE CITY — A man was arrested after he was accused of stealing a backpack at the Salt Lake International Airport and then attempting to steal an officer’s weapon.

On Sunday at approximately 8:24 p.m., an officer at the Salt Lake City Int’l Airport was approached regarding a piece of luggage left at the Delta Sky Club.

According to the police affidavit, police tracked Joseph Johnson, 29, after he failed to return the backpack, which contained approximately $4,000 in property.

Officers said Johnson was briefly compliant when they approached him, but later became increasingly non-compliant, refusing to follow simple commands.

Johnson pushed his luggage into one of the officers multiple times, leading officers to apply handcuffs. Then, Johnson attempted to walk away while handcuffed. When officers prevented Johnson from walking away, he began to resist.

According to the affidavit, Johnson attempted to disarm an officer but was prevented from pulling the gun out of the holster.

Johnson continued to physically resist even after officers took him to the ground and applied a SafeWrap restraint.

While being transported to jail, police said Johnson repeatedly slammed his own head against the plexiglass.

The affidavit claims Johnson showed symptoms of intoxication, as he kept repeating himself and was escorted out of the Sky Club in the past due to alcohol intoxication.