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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- A prisoner stole a Davis County sheriff's deputy's car, rammed it through a wrought iron fence and led police on a chase before a tire blew out.
Carl John Racker, 29, Layton, was taken back into custody Thursday.
Sheriff's Capt. Kenny Payne said Racker had been arrested by Clearfield police Monday night for investigation of drug and stolen goods violations. He allegedly tried to escape at that time by climbing through the window of a police vehicle, but was caught.
Bail was set Wednesday at $10,000.
Racker was taken to Ogden's 17th Street Storage Center Thursday so officers could see if there were stolen goods in a unit there.
Kevin Campbell, manager of the storage center, cut a pad lock to the unit and was walking back into the office when noticed Racker in the police vehicle.
"About a minute later I hear a 'pop, pop, pop,"' Campbell said. "He hit a bus in the back, turned and came down the road, hit a (large trash bin), and went right through that fence."
At least two shots were fired at the vehicle by the deputy.
Racker was spotted by an Ogden patrol officer and was being chased by police when the left rear tire began to shred, forcing him to pull off to a dirt road near a pond where he crashed into an abandoned barge.
"He pretty well creamed the Durango," Ogden Police Lt. Mark Acker said.
Racker took off running but was caught by officers and booked into the Weber County Jail on suspicion of escape from custody, evading police, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident,and auto theft.
Campbell said his fence is worth about $20,000, and police have estimated damage to the vehicle at approximately $10,000.
Davis County sheriff's officials are not releasing the name of the deputy pending investigation.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
