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MILLCREEK — One police officer and three patrol cars were hit by a man trying to avoid arrest Sunday, after allegedly kidnapping a woman and leading officers on a chase, police said.
Alexander Ommundson, 32, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of a number of charges including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, three counts of assault on an officer, and two counts of failing to stop for police. Originally, police booked Ommundson under the name Zachary L. Ommundson, who is Alexander's brother. On Monday, after realizing that Alexander Ommundson had given officers his brother's name, Unified police sent out a tweet with the name correction while adding "Zachary had nothing to do with this incident."
According to a police booking affidavit, Ommundson "carjacked and kidnapped a victim, struck three officers and drove into oncoming traffic all to avoid apprehension."
The incident began with a car being pulled over Saturday near 3950 S. 300 East for a tail light violation, the booking affidavit states. A woman was driving the car, Ommundson was in the middle and another man in the front passenger seat. Police soon learned that all three had outstanding warrants for arrest.
All three were ordered to step out of the car. The man in the passenger seat complied. But Ommundson was able to put the car in drive and from the middle seat, pushed his foot on the gas pedal, according to the affidavit. A Unified police officer who was trying to get Ommundson out of the car was struck by the vehicle, causing an injury to his lower leg, according to the affidavit.
"The female driver was abducted by the subject and later stated she was forced out of the driver seat by the subject and held against her will," the affidavit states. Ommundson then led police on a chase.
"The subject drove into oncoming traffic, through a barrier and eventually lost control at 980 S. 160 West," according to the affidavit.
Police tried to stop Ommundson as he drove through a parking lot, but he rammed a Unified police vehicle. As the chase continued, Ommundson hit another Unified patrol car, and when officers were closing in, police said he tried to escape by putting the car in reverse and hitting a Salt Lake City patrol car. Ommundson was then pinned in by other officers and taken into custody.
