LAVERKIN — Emergency responders transported a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy to the hospital Saturday night for unidentified injuries sustained during what authorities called a “physical altercation” with a vehicle theft suspect.
Information on the deputy’s condition and identity was not available at time of publication.
LaVerkin City Police officers were dispatched at approximately 7 p.m. on reports of a stolen vehicle in the area of 400 N. 100 East after a family member called the police to report the incident, LaVerkin City Police Chief Benjamin Lee said.
“Officers received information that Mr. Ryan Pittman took $200 cash and a vehicle from a family member and left in the stolen vehicle,” Lee wrote in a news release. “An attempt to locate was broadcast for the vehicle.”
A Springdale officer saw a vehicle matching the broadcast description traveling in the Rockville area, Lee said. Before the officer could stop it, the driver allegedly turned around and returned to LaVerkin.
A Washington County Sheriff’s deputy saw the vehicle and followed it to the original residence around 7:20 p.m. According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, the deputy tried taking Pittman into custody but a “physical struggle ensued” resulting in the deputy’s injuries.
Hurricane Valley Ambulance transported the deputy to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George where he was treated for his injuries, Lee said.
Meanwhile, officers responded to the location and were able to stop the fight and arrest Pittman.
He was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on charges of theft, theft of a vehicle, aggravated assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and reckless driving. Pittman was also placed on a 72-hour hold for probation violation. Bail scheduled at the time of booking totaled $5,680.
The La Verkin Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Hurricane Police Department, Springdale/Zion Canyon Department of Public Safety, Utah Highway Patrol, and Hurricane Valley Ambulance responded and provided assistance on this incident.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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