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MIDVALE — There were some tense moments this afternoon at a Midvale motel as police officers swarmed the parking lot at gunpoint, looking for potentially violent criminal.
The man was wanted for a violent carjacking and robbery early Tuesday morning and was captured at a Motel 6 near I-15 at about 2 p.m. With guns drawn, Unified Police officers made an arrest of the 25-year-old man.
The carjacking wasn't a random crime. Rather, it appears to be payback over what the suspect thought was a used car sale gone bad.
"A gun was used and an edge weapon and an argument broke out with the four individuals," said Lt. Justin Hoyal. "There the two suspects then gathered up some of the belongings inside the victim's home including his car keys,"
Not only did he steal the victim's SUV, but he is also accused of trying to kidnap the man.
"They had forced one of the victims out to the car at gunpoint and told him that he had to go with them," Lt. Hoyal said. "Just before he got into the car, he ended up running and was able to get away safely." Police say Kueni Faamausili targeted the victim over a dispute involving the sale of a used car in an apparent attempt to get even.
"One of the victims had negotiated a sale of a vehicle about a year ago with Mr. Faaumusili," Lt. Hoyal said. "Through that sale, Mr. Famusili had had some questions about what had taken place and then an argument broke out over the sale of the vehicle."
Detectives are now trying to sort out what the dispute is really about.
The motel here was mostly empty because it was after check-out time, so a few customers saw the incident. 38-year-old Johnny Buist was as arrested in connection with the carjacking. Both men face charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.
