Alleged car thief caught after scaling fence, jumping into briar patch

Alleged car thief caught after scaling fence, jumping into briar patch

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WEST VALLEY CITY — A man who told friends he had just bought a new car was arrested a short time later by multiple agencies for investigation of a stolen vehicle.

Joshua Rolfe, 36, of Magna, was arrested Thursday for investigation of being in possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing and resisting arrest, as well as several outstanding warrants.

Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division spokesman Charlie Roberts said a Lincoln Navigator was stolen Thursday morning. A witness later told investigators that Rolfe called up three acquaintances — a man and two women — and invited them to take a ride in a new vehicle he had just allegedly purchased, Roberts said.

The vehicle, however, had LoJack installed, an anti-theft device that helps authorities locate missing cars. Officers from the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division, West Valley City and the Utah Highway Patrol quickly tracked down the vehicle to an industrial area near 2400 South and 3100 West.

When investigators approached the Navigator, Rolfe ran off while the others stayed with the car.

It was snowing heavily as police ran after the man, Roberts said. He ran about a quarter-mile and tried to hop a fence to get away. But after scaling the fence, Rolfe landed in a thick rose and briar patch, he said.

Rolfe stopped fleeing at that point. He had to be treated for several injuries before being booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

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Pat Reavy

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