Man arrested for allegedly stabbing father, sister in Sandy

Man arrested for allegedly stabbing father, sister in Sandy

(Mike Radice, KSL TV, File)


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ST GEORGE — A man wanted for allegedly stabbing his father and teenage sister in Sandy has been arrested following a chase in St. George.

Sandy police had been looking for Sione Vaitai, 26, since Friday when a family argument turned violent. Vaitai attacked his father and sister with a kitchen knife at a home near 10200 S. Mount View Drive, according to Sandy police. Both were taken to local hospitals in critical condition. The two remained hospitalized on Monday but were stable.

Sunday night, police received a tip that Vaitai might be in southern Utah. St. George Police Capt. Mike Giles said his vehicle was found parked at a residence, and officers set up a surveillance on it while they worked out a plan of what to do next.

About 7:20 a.m. Monday, officers spotted Vaitai leaving the house. St. George police and Utah Highway Patrol troopers attempted to stop him.

"He was able to drive around or evade the troopers and our officers who tried to prevent them from leaving," Giles said.

At that point, a short chase ensued, mainly along Mall Drive and Riverside Drive. A UHP trooper performed a PIT maneuver on Vaitai's car, causing it to briefly spin out. But Vaitai was able to resume fleeing, Giles said.

A St. George officer then performed a second PIT maneuver. This time, Vaitai's car was unable to continue moving, he said. At that point, Vaitai surrendered without further incident.

At least two police vehicles suffered minor damage during the pursuit, and one road sign was knocked down during one of the PIT maneuvers. No injuries were reported.

Giles said Fossil Ridge Intermediate School, 383 S. Mall Drive, was temporarily placed on lockdown as the chase progressed.

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