Watch Command Log: Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Watch Command Log is a daily summary of events of significance compiled by Watch Commanders. There are three watches in a 24-hour period: days, afternoons and graveyards. Items contained in the Watch Command Log are based on information available at the time of its release and should not be interpreted as an admission or finding of guilt. Arrest information may differ from formal charges filed by the prosecuting agency.

DAY SHIFT

No significant events.

AFTERNOON SHIFT

1413     Drug Arrest                   55 N. 400 W.                                        12-44558

Employees at the Hyatt Gateway Hotel reported seeing Marijuana in a guest room.  Officers responded to the hotel room and seized Marijuana. Ryan Wilks (11/19/91) and Kacie Wilks (4/25/90) were booked into jail for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

1906     Accidental Shooting      1054 W. Euclid Ave.                              12-44762

A 49-year-old man was cleaning his M4 style rifle (.223) when the gun discharged.  The bullet exited his house through a front window and struck the house across the street.  The bullet broke the glass in the storm door and lodged in the front door. The victim house was not occupied at the time. 

GRAVEYARD SHIFT

2202     Search Warrant              227 S. 1500 W.                                                 12-44854

Detectives served a search warrant and seized methamphetamine and heroin along with scales and packaging materials from a residence. William Green (10/6/53), and Kelly Rhees (6/19/66), were booked into jail for possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia. 

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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Watch Command Log: Friday, March 16, 2012

The Watch Command Log is a daily summary of events of significance compiled by Watch Commanders. There are three watches in a 24-hour period: days, afternoons and graveyards. Items contained in the Watch Command Log are based on information available at the time of its release and should not be interpreted as an admission or finding of guilt. Arrest information may differ from formal charges filed by the prosecuting agency.

DAY SHIFT 

No significant events.

AFTERNOON SHIFT 

1424     Traffic Accident             1870 S. 1300 E.                                     12-43878

A 36-year-old man drove a Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on 1300 East.  The man suddenly veered to the left, drove over the curb, and struck a power pole.  The power pole was sheared off and fell onto the roadway.  The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and he was not injured, but 1300 East was closed for several hours as Rocky Mountain Power replaced the damaged pole. 

GRAVEYARD SHIFT

2309     Drug Distribution           840 S. 1300 E.                                      12-44232

A Westminster security officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room and investigated the incident. The security officer asked Lukas Fischer (3/25/93) and his two 19-year-old roommates to surrender their unlawful items. The roommates surrendered drug pipes and a small amount of hashish and Fischer surrendered alcohol. A safe owned by Fischer, contained marijuana, psilocybin (mushrooms), packaging material and cash.  The roommates were cited for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  Fischer was booked into jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance.

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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Arrest in CJ Smoke Shop Homicide

The Salt Lake City Police Department has made two arrests in Wednesday’s homicide at the CJ Smoke Shop, 876 W. 800 S., Salt Lake City, Utah.

On March 14, 2012, at approximately 7:34 pm, a male got into a physical fight with victim Steven Chavez.  After the fight the male fled the scene in a red passenger car.  Approximately 20 minutes later two males arrived at the CJ Smoke Shop in a dark colored passenger car.  The passenger exited the vehicle and opened fire on Chavez, killing him.  As the suspect fled he fired additional rounds towards by-standers, but no one was struck.

On March 19, 2012, at approximately 12:30 am, Yelfris Sosa-Hurtado (8/13/1986) and Vladimir Suarez-Campos (8/02/1974) were taken into custody without incident by Salt Lake City Police SWAT Officers and The Safe Streets Task Force Officers during a traffic stop at the 7200 South exit of I15. 

Hurtado was identified as the person who shot Chavez and Suarez was identified as the driver of the getaway vehicle.  Both men were charged with aggravated murder.

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Operation ‘Friendly Reminder’ Succeeds in Raising Public Safety Issues in CBD

More than 500 contacts made by officers 

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Downtown Bike Squads have made contact with more than 500 people during this week’s Operation “Friendly Reminder,” which sought to raise public safety awareness in the Central Business District.

While such encounters usually result in an expensive citation, police officers have been issuing warnings to pedestrians and motorists for infractions such as jaywalking, violating the crosswalk ordinance, smoking in violation of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act, riding a bike or skateboard on the sidewalk, or littering.

“This proved to be a great opportunity for our officers to positively interact with people downtown,” said Chief Chris Burbank. “The rules and laws are there to keep everyone safe — from those of us walking on Main Street for a lunch appointment to motorists looking for a parking spot, from bike messengers to Trax riders.”

Approximately 25 officers were involved in the week-long operation. While they issued more than 500 warnings during outreach, they also made 20 felony drug arrests in the area earlier this week.

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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Watch Log: Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Watch Command Log is a daily summary of events of significance compiled by Watch Commanders. There are three watches in a 24-hour period: days, afternoons and graveyards. Items contained in the Watch Command Log are based on information available at the time of its release and should not be interpreted as an admission or finding of guilt. Arrest information may differ from formal charges filed by the prosecuting agency.

DAY SHIFT

No Significant Events

AFTERNOON SHIFT

No Significant Events

GRAVEYARD SHIFT

2100
Search Warrant
149 S Hawkes Ct
12-37617

The Salt Lake City Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the above address. The search yielded small amounts of marijuana, ketamine, hashish, psilocybin mushrooms, liquid LSD and LSD blotters. Cash, scales, packaging and paraphernalia were also seized during the warrant. Gary Challender (12/7/71) was booked into jail for multiple enhanced felony narcotics charges and felony child endangerment. Two juveniles at the home were released to their parents. Charges will be screened against the juveniles as well as three other adults on scene.

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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Watch Log: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Watch Command Log is a daily summary of events of significance compiled by Watch Commanders. There are three watches in a 24-hour period: days, afternoons and graveyards. Items contained in the Watch Command Log are based on information available at the time of its release and should not be interpreted as an admission or finding of guilt. Arrest information may differ from formal charges filed by the prosecuting agency.

DAY SHIFT

No Significant Events

AFTERNOON SHIFT

1559
Auto Pedestrian Accident
State Street / Kensington Ave.
12-42719

Officers were in the area of Kensington Ave and State Street when they observed a 28-year-old female and her 6-year-old daughter get struck by a vehicle. The victims were in the crosswalk when they were struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on State Street. Both victims were transported to local hospitals in critical condition.

1705
Shots Fired
2600 S. Highland Dr.
12-42761

Witnesses reported seeing a male firing a handgun at an unidentified person near 1190 E. Parkway Ave. A few minutes later police received a similar report from the area of 2290 S. 1300 E. where witnesses reported more shots fired. In both incidents all of the involved parties left the area without contacting police. Witnesses described the involved vehicles as a silver Mercedes Benz and a red sedan. No suspects or victims were located.

1934
Homicide
876 W. 800 S.
12-42855

At approximately 1930 hours a suspect approached a group of in front of CJ’s Smoke Shop. A confrontation ensued, but the suspect left in a maroon vehicle believed to be his own vehicle. He returned approximately 20-30 minutes later in another vehicle and confronted the group again. He then produced a firearm and fired, pursuing the victim into the store. Upon leaving the store, the suspect fired again, and then fled the scene in a dark Honda. He was last seen northbound on 900 West. The suspect is described as: a Hispanic male, approximately 27-30 years old, light skinned, 5’8” tall and weighing approximately 140-150 lbs. The male had a thin mustache and black slicked back hair that was shaved short on the sides. He was last seen wearing a light colored (possibly tan) collared shirt, dark jacket and light brown or medium brown colored pants.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT

No Significant Events

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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SLCPD Releases Video, Photos of Homicide Suspect

Call (801) 799-3000 with information

The Salt Lake City Police Department releases the following surveillance video and images of a suspect wanted in last night’s homicide.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012, a suspect approached a group in front of CJ's Smoke Shop, 876 W. 800 S. A confrontation ensued, but the suspect left in a maroon vehicle (photo 1 and video below ) believed to be his own. He returned approximately 20-30 minutes later in another vehicle (photos 2 and 3) and confronted the group again. He then produced a firearm and fired, pursuing a victim into the store. Upon leaving the store, the suspect fired again, then fled the scene in the Honda (photos 2 and 3). He was last seen northbound on 900 West.


Updated suspect description:

• light skinned
• male Hispanic adult
• 27-30 years old
• 5’8”
• 140-150 lbs.
• thin mustache
• black hair that is slicked back on top and shaved short on sides
• wearing a light colored (possibly tan) collared shirt, dark jacket, light brown or medium brown pants. 

The Police Department asks anyone with information about this case to call (801) 799-3000. Callers may remain anonymous. Anonymous tips may be sent by text message to CRIMES (274637). Please start the message with the keyword TIPSLCPD. Reference: Case #12-42855.

Photo 1

Photo 1: Investigators believe this to be the suspect’s own vehicle. Possibly a maroon Oldsmobile Alero or Nissan Sentra, 4-door.

Video: Surveillance of suspect leaving the scene in his car (same as Photo 1) approximately 20-30 minutes prior to the shooting.

Photo 2

Photo 2: Investigators believe this to be the vehicle in which the suspect returned to the scene and in which he was seen leaving the scene. Investigators believe the suspect was the front passenger in this car, which is possibly a dark blue Honda, 2001-2003. This vehicle most likely belongs to the driver, not the shooter. 

Photo 3

Photo 3: Suspect standing just outside the Honda (same car as photo 2).

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