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HOLLADAY — Two men were arrested and police were looking for additional suspects Sunday following a pair of high speed chases that investigators say are likely related.
Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said officers at the Holladay police substation, near 4500 South and 2300 East, were just walking to their patrol cars about 2:45 a.m. when they heard shots fired nearby. Officers responded to the area where they believed the shots came from and spotted a white Cadillac speeding away with its headlights off.
"Our officers chased that car north and west from that location as it traveled through surface streets and through neighborhoods," Hoyal said. "At times it had actually gotten up to 100 mph, but at that time there was no traffic on the road. It was very minimal risk to the public."
As backup officers were headed toward the scene, they saw a second vehicle, a white Chevy Cavalier, also speeding away from the same area with its headlights off. Officers were involved in two chases simultaneously.
In the chase with the Cadillac, Hoyal said at one point an object was thrown out of the car near 4100 S. Highland Drive. Police later recovered a handgun in that area.
Officers saw a second object tossed out of the Cadillac later in the chase — believed to be a second gun — but that object had not been found as of Sunday evening.
The car chase ended when three of the tires on the Cadillac blew out as a result of the driving.
"Ultimately as he came to 2900 S. 1300 East, he lost control of his car and spun out," Hoyal said. "At that time the occupants of the car got out and fled on foot."
Officers successfully chased down two of the car's three occupants. One of the suspects was Tasered twice after refusing to comply with an officer's orders to show his hands, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report.
Angelo Benevitz, 23, and Han Christensen, 25, were booked into jail for investigation of resisting arrest and failure to stop at the command of a police officer. The third suspect, described as Hispanic man, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 165 pounds, wearing a black vest and white pants, was not found.
Shell casings were found inside the Cadillac, Hoyal said. But when officers returned to the area where they believed the shots were fired, they did not find anyone who was injured or any homes or vehicles that had been shot.
As that chase was going on, another group of officers pursued the Cavailer.
"Officers also attempted to stop that Cavalier but it fled as well," Hoyal said, adding that officers lose sight of that car near 2700 South and 3200 East.
Anyone who may any information about the white Cavalier or the missing occupant of the white Cadillac is asked to contact Unified police at 801-743-7000.
Contributing: Pat Reavy
