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Debbie Dujanovic reporting It was a busy week for Utah law enforcement, with a number of high speed pursuits and standoffs with suspects.
Police say it's partly coincidence, and partly a commentary on the prison system.
The good news is that all of those sought in this week's chases and standoffs are now in custody. The bad news is that such incidents are happening more and more often.
The most recent happened yesterday afternoon. Isaac Gallegos -- a man with a relatively minor criminal record -- decided to run from South Salt Lake police.
Gallegos was arrested without incident a short time later with a pocketful of pot. He is probably the least criminal of those caught this week.
On Monday, Sandy police surrounded a home thinking that wanted game member Inoke Vihami was inside. He was not, but was arrested yesterday afternoon.
Then on Tuesday another gang member -- Luciano Lopez was captured after rolling his Blazer on the Bangerter Hwy during a chase.
Lopez was not the only fugitive caught on Tuesday. Three men with previous bank robbery convictions were taken into custody after robbing a Wells Fargo and leading police on yet another chase.
And on Wednesday yet another man with a long criminal history was at odds with police. Mario Sotelo was holed up in an Ogden apartment for more than seven hours before he was taken into custody.
Det. Stephen Zaccardi/Ogden Police Dept.: "I'M GOING TO SCREEN THIS CASE WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY AND SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM PUT IN THE FEDERAL PRISON BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO DO SOME HARD TIME. I WANT TO RETIRE BY THE TIME HE GETS OUT."
All of those arrested this week will be facing prisons time. But with their previous records, some wonder when they will be back on the streets again.
