Saturday, July 31, 2010

Suspect in Custody After 14-Hour Standoff at All Star Travel Inn

The Salt Lake City Police Department took suspected bank robber Joe Dee Stang into custody at approximately 11:11 a.m. this morning.

Claiming he had a hostage, Stang barricaded himself in a room at the All Star Travel Inn after officers tracked him there and attempted to make contact. Following several hours of negotiations, he ceased communication.

SWAT officers forced entry and extracted Stang, who had no hostage after all, from an attic space at approximately 11:11 a.m. this morning. Medical personnel transported him to a local hospital for treatment of possible dehydration.

Officers will book Stang on aggravated robbery charges under a federal warrant. Other charges are pending, including those related to his flight from a work release program in Idaho earlier this month.

During the 14-hour standoff, officers evacuated approximately 50 people from the motel to a nearby church. They were allowed to return at approximately noon today.

The Police Department wishes to thank Salt Lake City Fire Department, Davis County SWAT/Paramedics, Unified Police Department, Taylorsville Police Department, Unified Fire Department, Utah Transit Authority, Gold Cross Ambulance, American Red Cross-Greater Salt Lake Chapter for their assistance in the standoff that began at approximately 9 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010.