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Sandra Yi and Randall Jeppesen reporting A lunchbreak took a dangerous turn for a South Jordan Police Officer. He is now recovering after being dragged by a car.
It happened at the Harmons grocery store in South Jordan.
Sergeant Dan Starks was dragged 200 yards through the parking lot of the Harmons grocery store in South Jordan. Store cameras caught it on tape.
Police say Matthew Athey was behind the wheel of the car that took a South Jordan Police Sergeant on a dangerous ride.
Sgt. Dennis Power, South Jordan Police Dept.: "He had several scrape marks on his pants and on his boots, from being dragged the whole distance."
Surveillance video shows Sergeant Dan Starks trying to stop Athey. But Athey was able to drive away. Starks got stuck in the car door, and managed to hold on, with both arms.
South Jordan police Sgt. Dennis Powers: "We sat and tried to figure out how he could hang on that long and not of gotten hurt. He's a lot stronger than we thought I guess. He had an arm or two in the car door and his feet were dragging on the ground. Witnesses say that the vehicle got up to 40 miles an hour as it raced through the parking lot."
Starks was trying to stop Athey after the man got into a scuffle with store employees.
Sgt. Dennis Power: "He threw a couple of punches at one of the employees, and at that point, he pulled out a knife and threatened him with a knife."
Police say Athey lashed out after he was caught trying to steal an ace bandage.
Sgt. Dennis Power: "He's a construction worker and he was getting bandages for his wrist for construction work. A two dollar item."
Athey, who was wanted on a burglary warrant, finally stopped his car when Sergeant Starks threatened to use deadly force.
Sgt. Dennis Power: "I'm happy he made the right decision and stopped when he stopped, before it got any worse."
So on top of shoplifting, Athey is facing more serious charges; including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and assault on a police officer.
Sgt. Starks should be fine. He's recovering at his home today.
