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SANDY -- A suspected thief led police on a car chase through several cities even though his car's tires were flat for 13 miles of the pursuit.
The chase started near 9400 South and 1300 East in Sandy around 1 a.m. Monday after police checked the car's license plate and discovered it was stolen out of West Valley City.
Police attempted to stop the driver, Andres Delaruz, but he took off down Highland Drive, leading Sandy officers on a chase. When Delaruz reached 8200 South, two Cottonwood Heights officers jumped in.
Sgt. Scott Ricks with the Cottonwood Heights Police Department said, "The units were able to deploy spikes at that point and two of the tires on the driver's side of the vehicle deflated within a block and a half."
Delaruz kept driving north on Van Winkle Expressway at speeds close to 60 miles per hour, despite the deflated tires. He eventually turned west onto 3300 South. Just before he got onto I-215 at Redwood Road, a Cottonwood Heights officer used a pit maneuver to stop the car. Delaruz then tried to flee on foot but tripped.
"As he ran across the road he tripped over the cement sidewalk," Ricks said. "He went down and gave up."
Police say when they searched the car they found stolen property, including stereo speakers. They also found drugs and a knife.
Police say Delaruz was released from prison about a week ago. He's now being booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on several charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, and felony fleeing.
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Written with contributions from Shara Park and Andrew Adams .
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