Suspect apprehended following high-speed chase through county
Robert Stevens
Managing editor
9-8-2016
On Aug. 31, the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of gunfire in Wales, an incident which kicked off a high speed chase and ended with law enforcement finding the fugitive suspect hiding in his own trunk.
A statement released by the sheriff’s office says that the gunfire came from a security guard at the Moroni Feed processing plant entry gate, who fired at a vehicle he says tried to run him over.
The security guard told the responding deputies that the driver of the vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Jetta with no visible license plate, was Oscar Garcia, 20, of Chester, who is blacklisted from the property.
Garcia was discovered later in the Fairview area by sheriff’s deputies and in the process of trying to pull him over, a high speed pursuit ensued.
During the pursuit, Garcia reportedly traveled in excess of 100 mph at times and was regularly swerving into the oncoming lane. Garcia’s dangerous and erratic driving led to the chase being discontinued for reasons of safety.
Deputies were able to finally apprehend Garcia when they found his vehicle between Mt. Pleasant and Moroni later. Upon closer inspection of the vehicle, Garcia was discovered hiding in the trunk. During a search of the vehicle, drugs and drug paraphernalia were also found.
Garcia was arrested and taken to the Sanpete County Jail and booked on several charges, including felony evading, aggravated assault, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespassing, operating a vehicle without an interlock device, reckless driving, driving on suspended license, no registration and improper location of plates.
Sanpete County Sheriff Brian Nielson told the Messenger that high speed chases and gunfire don’t happen every day in Sanpete County and the citizens deserve to know about it when it does.
According to the sheriff’s office, the case is still under investigation and will be referred to the County Attorney’s Office for screening.
