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Gene Kennedy reporting A wild ride for South Salt Lake Police this morning, as a homeless man leads them on a chase in a stolen van.
The chase reached 80 miles per hour down State Street. At one point the van drove on the opposite side of the road.
Police were trying to catch a transient who they say stole a $60,000 van from a South Salt Lake business.
Police tell us that the transient spent the night in one vehicle on the lot, but decided to upgrade to a plush silver van. He wanted the keys, so police say the man threw a rock through the business's window and snagged the keys. Employees at the business next door saw the whole thing and called police.
When officers arrived, they say 37-year-old Michael Peterson took off in the van, hitting an officer in the shoulder with the driver side's mirror. The officer is okay with only minor injuries.
Police managed to chase Peterson to an industrial complex, cornered the van, and arrested him without incident.
The man who owns the custom van business was stunned to hear the bizarre chain of events.
Tuong Dang, Owner, New Image Vans: "I never know who this guy is. I never met him. I never seen him after or before. (reporter question: ‘You've got to be happy you got your van back?') "Yes I do. I feel very happy to get the van back. And I see that there is just a little damage there. It will cost a couple thousand dollars to fix that."
Michael Peterson is a name police know well. He has a ten year criminal rap sheet include drug and theft charges. He told police he may have tuberculosis, so a mask was placed on him as a precaution.
Peterson is in the Salt Lake County jail this afternoon on four felony charges.
Meanwhile, the owner of New Image Vans is very grateful for those neighbors at Standard Wood who saw the whole thing and decided to take action.
