Police release 911 tape of Alpine hostage situation


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ALPINE -- Terrifying moments of a hostage situation in Alpine last month came to life Thursday when the recording of the 911 call was made public.

Only a small portion of the call was released, because much of it may be used as evidence since it is believed to detail the extortion threat. But the recording gives us a glimpse at the composure of a 15-year-old girl who listened as her parents being threatened downstairs by a man with a gun.

The recording begins as the 911 dispatcher picks up the phone.

"911. What is the address of your emergency?" the dispatcher asks.

"Hey, there is a man in my house right now," the girl frantically replies.

Police release 911 tape of Alpine hostage situation

Police say teen made the call shortly after Tyler Archuelta endered the home of the CEO of Savage Trucking in Alpine. He had a fake U.S. Census Bureau ID badge, which he used to get inside.

Archuleta threatened the CEO by pulling a handgun, and demanded $100 million. Both the victim's wife and daughter called 911 so police could hear what was going on inside the home.

"Where is he right now," the dispatcher asks the teen.

"So, your parents are downstairs?" the dispatcher asks.

"Yes. They are with him," the girl replies. "I don't know what to do."

The dispatcher tells the teen to find a place to hide, while she continues to listen to her parents being threatened.

"Just go to a place you can feel, you can be a little bit safe," the dispatcher says. "The officers are on their way. Do you know who these people are? Can you hear your mom or dad talking to them?"

Police used information from the girl and from a second 911 call the mother made and left off the hook to help them set up a SWAT team outside the home. The hostage situation continued for three hours, until Archuleta forced the couple into their car and was arrested by SWAT officers as the car left the driveway.

Archuleta remains in the Utah County jail, facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, robbery and burglary. More evidence against him is expected to come out during a preliminary hearing on Oct. 28.

CLICK HERE to listen to the opening portion of the the 911 call.

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Story compiled with contributions form Sam Penrod and Randall Jeppesen.

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