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SPRINGVILLE — A man accused of trying to carjack a driver at gunpoint late Sunday was arrested after struggling with police, forcing officers to deploy a Taser on him.
Michael Spencer Tandoh, 24, who police say is a transient from Rexburg, Idaho, was booked into the Utah County Jail early Monday for investigation of aggravated robbery, trespassing and interfering with an officer.
The incident began late Sunday in Springville, when police say Tandoh approached a man who was sitting in his car in a parking lot, playing a game on his phone.
The victim said he was approached by a man with "a long gun that was black and he said it looked like it had some sort of coil over the end. He said the male had an accent and was wearing what appeared to be a Halloween-style mask," according to a police booking affidavit.
The victim told the would-be robber, "You don't need to do this," and attempted to defuse the situation. But Tandoh tried to get into the back seat of the vehicle and then opened the driver's door, said Springville Police Lt. Warren Foster.
"The victim was able to grab the gun and point it away from him as he drove off to escape," according to the affidavit.
Before the man was able to drive away, Tandoh was able to get his leg inside the car and pushed on the brake to prevent the man from driving away, Foster said. But the victim was eventually able to break free and drive to a shopping center where he called 911.
Police surrounded the area and conducted two searches. During the second search, officers found an unlocked door of a nearby business. Police found Tandoh inside and attempted to arrest him but he resisted, Foster said. Officers were eventually forced to use a Taser to get Tandoh to comply with their demands, the affidavit states.
Police went back to the area on Monday to look for the weapon they believe was used in the crime. Foster says it turned out to be a replica, but could have easily been mistaken for a real gun.
