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Gene Kennedy ReportingScary moments overnight for a West Valley man. Someone jumped into his car, put a knife to his throat and started giving orders.
Police say it's possible the suspect may have known the victim. They're still looking into that this morning. Either way, officers still consider this a carjacking.
Police say the suspect, 23-year-old Jeremy Gillard, got into the car at 2300 West and 3500 South. With a knife pressed to the victim's throat, Gillard allegedly told the man to drive.
The victim complied, but what he did next caught a police officer's attention and, as a result, the victim managed to get out of harm's way.
Sgt. John Pearce, West Valley City Police Dept. "Our K-9 unit was making a traffic stop on a car that was driving unusually. When he pulled it over, the driver hopped out, put his hands up, and indicated he didn't want anything to do with what was going on in the vehicle."
The victim told police the car-jacker had a knife. Officers say Jeremy Gillard then slid from passenger seat to the driver's side and took off in the car. After a short chase, Gillard crashed the car at 3500 South Bangerter Highway.
Police say he gave up immediately and is now in Salt Lake County jail.
Turns out Gillard already had a warrant out for his arrest for violating parole. Now he'll face multiple charges in addition to violating parole.
