Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Joseph James Schultz, 28, faces charges including aggravated kidnapping and robbery.
- Schultz is accused of carjacking a woman in Magna and leading police on a chase.
- He was arrested with the help of a police K-9 after allegedly attempting to run.
MAGNA — A wanted parole fugitive is facing several charges after police say he carjacked a woman and led officers on a chase.
Joseph James Schultz, 28, of West Valley City, was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony; robbery, a second-degree felony; failing to stop for police, a third-degree felony; and reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor.
About 10:30 p.m. Friday, Unified police responded to a report of a carjacking in the area of 3500 South and 8400 West. A woman agreed to give Schultz a ride and then allowed him to drive her car while she sat in the back, according to charging documents. Schultz and the woman were acquaintances.
Schultz, however, "began driving aimlessly and when she asked him to stop and let her out, he began driving recklessly, weaving through traffic and running red lights. (The woman) reported fearing for her safety, she asked him to stop, Schultz refused, telling her to 'shut up.' (She) heard Schultz say he needed to steal another vehicle to escape," according to charging documents.
"Fearing for her life, the victim discreetly called and texted 911 for help," a police booking affidavit states.
Schultz drove to an apartment complex, allegedly looking for another vehicle to steal. But when he saw a heavy police presence in the area, he took off. Police spotted the vehicle but Schultz refused to pull over and sped away, "through city streets, running red lights and weaving in and out of traffic," according to the charges.
Officers eventually stopped the car using tire spikes. Schutz got out of the vehicle and ran after it was stopped, but was taken into custody with the help of police K-9 "Tanto."
Prosecutors note in court documents that Schultz "has 13 prior arrests with seven convictions, five of which are felonies." He was most recently paroled from the Utah State Prison on Jan. 21, but an arrest warrant was issued by Adult Probation and Parole to take him back into custody on Feb. 11.
"This would have been a terrifying experience for anyone to go through. No one should be victimized, especially when simply trying to offer help to another," Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Tuesday.
