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LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho — A Utah fugitive wanted for aggravated assault was arrested Wednesday in Idaho following an hours- long standoff.
Jason Wiberg was wanted for aggravated assault after he allegedly beat three family members on Monday, one to the point of hospitalization.
Wiberg, a survivalist, led police on a 100-mph high-speed chase before disappearing into the Cache Valley wilderness.
Wiberg made his way to Lava Hot Springs, according to police, where his brother, Jared, lives. Bannock County Sheriff's deputies were sent to Jared Wiberg's home to interview the man.
It was pretty clear that he was hiding things.
–Lorin Nielsen.
"It was pretty clear that he was hiding things," said Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen. "We suspected the fugitive was in the house, and then one deputy did see Jason on the balcony of the 2nd floor."
"The brother, Jared, said that he would rather see his brother die with a bullet in his head than go back to prison," Nielsen continued.
A standoff began at about 9 p.m., according to Nielsen, and the SWAT team was called in to negotiate with Wiberg, who had said there were weapons in the house.
Wiberg exited the house at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning telling police he would rather die than go back to prison, Nielsen said.
When Wiberg refused to cooperate with officers, a deputy snuck up behind the man and Tased him. Wiberg was taken into custody and will be extradited to Utah.
Jared Wiberg, the fugitive's brother, was arrested on charges of harboring a fugitive.
Nielsen said Jason Wiberg had spent time in federal prison for armed robbery and is on probation. Utah court records show his last address as being in Nibley, Cache County, and shows a history of felony charges including distribution of a controlled substance, aggravated robbery and theft dating back to 2001.
Contributing: Emiley Morgan
