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MILLCREEK — A man who police say was throwing handfuls of stolen pills out of his pockets as he was trying to flee from police was arrested Friday.
Just after noon, a man walked into Walgreens, 4515 S. 900 East, grabbed a shirt that was on sale and used it to conceal a handgun he was holding, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
The man went to the pharmacy counter and presented the employee with a note demanding pills, Hoyal said.
"The clerk said, 'This isn't a prescription.' He said, 'I know,' and at that time displayed the handgun and told the clerk to get him all the pills he was demanding," Hoyal said.
The clerk said, 'This isn't a prescription.' He said, 'I know,' and at that time displayed the handgun and told the clerk to get him all the pills he was demanding.
–Lt. Justin Hoyal, Unified police
Several UPD officers already happened to be in the area and one spotted the man jumping over fences and running through yards trying to get away. The officer confronted the man and got into a struggle with him, Hoyal said. At one point, the man tried to take the officer's gun, he said.
The officer was able to hang on to his weapon, but the suspect ran off. As he continued running, the man was throwing pills out of his pockets.
A short time later, there were so many officers surrounding the area that they were able to capture the man without further incident.
Jade Samuel Gonzales, 35, was arrested for investigation of a number of crimes, including aggravated robbery, attempting to disarm a police officer, possession of an incendiary device for having a smoke bomb in his pocket, drug possession and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
Utah State Court records show Gonzales has a long criminal history, including theft and drug-related convictions in 2012.
