Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A man is being accused of fleeing from police after spraying a mall security guard with Chemical Mace as he was stealing a hoodie. On Monday, Everett Steven Eichbauer, 61, was booked into the Utah County Jail on suspicion of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, felony commercial obstruction, a second-degree felony, possession of a dangerous weapon, a third-degree felony, and two other misdemeanor charges, according to the police affidavit. Provo police officers responded to a report that a JCPenney's Asset Protection Agent had been sprayed with "mace" by Eichbauer, who was actively fleeing from the Provo Mall. The affidavit stated that officers made contact with the agent who had "red eyes and tears as a result of having been maced." The agent gave officers a description of Eichbauer, and officers began to set a perimeter to search for him. According to the affidavit, officers found Eichbauer running across University Avenue. Police activated their emergency lights and told Eichbauer to stop, but he continued to run. Officers reported exiting their cars and chasing Eichbauer on foot, where they tackled him on the roadway. The affidavit stated that Eichbauer continued to refuse to comply with police commands and resisted arrest to "the extent that the officer had to force the (Eichbauer) hands out from underneath him to take him into custody." After being read his Miranda rights, Eichbauer admitted to police that he stole a hoodie from JCPenney and sprayed the agent when he was confronted. According to the affidavit, one of the stores inside the mall had to be closed early due to the tear gas that Eichbauer sprayed as it was "too potent for customers to remain within." Court documents show that Eichbauer was convicted of two class-B misdemeanor counts of unlawful acquisition of a financial card in 2019. The affidavit stated that Eichbauer was on parole and asked the court to consider it when determining bail.
Related Story: Police seize 'mostly assembled rifle' at City Creek Mall
