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PROVO — Two police officers suffered minor injuries while trying to arrest a man who refused to pull over early Friday, hit a parked car and then ran from officers.
Tareq Basem Hamdan, 24, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of a dozen charges including aggravated assault, fleeing, failing to stop at the command of police, meth possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI.
The series of events began about 2:30 a.m. when Provo police attempted to pull Hamdan over near 300 S. 500 West for a minor traffic violation.
"The vehicle did not stop and began to drive recklessly," police said in a prepared statement.
Due to safety concerns, the pursuit was called off by police.
But as Hamdan continued to drive away and saw an officer approaching, he "swerved in a direct attempt to strike the officer's vehicle.The officer braked and narrowly avoided being hit. This action necessitated re-engaging in a pursuit," police stated.
The arresting officer further stated in a police booking affidavit that he "aggressively applied my brakes to prevent the vehicle from colliding with me head-on and without a moment to spare before colliding, the suspect vehicle swerved around me and continued northbound.
"That vehicle continued north for approximately 12 blocks at times going into oncoming traffic towards other innocent citizens and it continued to evade myself and other officers who were also trying to help," the affidavit continues.
The chase continued through the north end of the city until Hamdan hit two parked cars, according to police. Hamdan then got out of his car and ran. In doing so, he left his car in reverse and it hit a pursuing police patrol car, according to a police booking affidavit.
Following what police describe as a "lengthy" chase running after Hamdan, he was arrested near 1800 N. Carterville Road.
"Two officers suffered injuries during the incident. One was treated at the local hospital and released," according to police, who did not give details on the type of injuries or how the injuries were sustained.
Hamdan was also treated at a local hospital after police say he jumped off a high wall. He was then booked into jail.
