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Gene Kennedy Reporting Sheriff's deputies, Highway Patrol troopers, and police from all over the Salt Lake Valley chased a man overnight. The suspect just wouldn't give up.
Police say Jeremy Ballard ran a red light and sped away. He then drove all over the valley to avoid getting caught. The reason is one of the more bizarre ones we've heard.
Sgt. Vaughn Allen, Taylorsville Police Dept.: "He believed his mom had reported the vehicle stolen. That's why he was running from the cops."
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Authorities chased Jeremy Ballard through West Valley, Midvale and Taylorsville.
Police from five different agencies chased this man. How they stopped him? A Taylorsville police officer laid spikes on the road and blew three of the tires on the car.
But then, police say, Ballard took off on foot and put up a fight with officers, so they tased him.
Once police had a chance to talk with him and run a background check, they found he had a misdemeanor warrant out on him and may have tried to lead police on another chase this month.
Sgt. Vaughn Allen, Taylorsville Police Dept.: "Apparently this same car had been in a pursuit in West Valley two weeks ago."
The car belongs to Ballard's sister, who is in jail. Police believe Ballard actually broke into his sister's apartment and stole the keys.
Turns out, police say he has a criminal record for running from police, burglary, and admits he uses methamphetamine.
Police believe he was high on marijuana during the chase.
