A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Northern Utah after a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Uatisone Kelemete reached speeds of 107 mph and committed multiple traffic violations before being apprehended. He is facing charges including theft of a vehicle, failure to respond to police commands, and possession of marijuana. Kelemete is currently on parole and has been ordered to be held without bail. Gephardt Daily reported
Northern Utah Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Stolen Vehicle
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NORTHERN UTAH, Sept. 3, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — A 19-year-old man has been apprehended and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail following a high-speed chase that spanned three counties and reached speeds of up to 107 mph. The suspect, identified as Uatisone Kelemete, is facing multiple felony charges, including receiving or theft or transfer of a stolen vehicle and failing to respond to commands of law enforcement officers.
The incident began when a white 2015 Cadillac Escalade, with dealer plates, was reported stolen from a Lehi 7-Eleven parking lot. Law enforcement officials from Lehi Police initiated pursuit of the stolen vehicle before eventually terminating it. However, a Utah Highway Patrol officer later spotted the Escalade traveling northbound on I-15 near 9000 South and began tailing it until additional officers arrived.
According to the arresting officer’s affidavit, the trooper’s radar registered the Escalade at 107 mph before it slowed down. When the officer activated their emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the suspect accelerated at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, the suspect committed several alleged traffic violations, including speeding, failure to signal, following too closely, and driving in emergency lanes.
A helicopter was deployed to assist in the pursuit and caught up with the SUV near 600 North on Interstate 15. The chase continued into Davis County and a Farmington neighborhood before the stolen vehicle re-entered the southbound interstate, ultimately reaching Bountiful.
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The affidavit states that law enforcement officers successfully spiked the tires of the stolen vehicle, prompting the driver to abandon it on the freeway and flee on foot into a nearby neighborhood. After an intensive search, the suspect was apprehended in a backyard after tripping while attempting to escape.
Authorities identified the driver as Uatisone Kelemete through a records check. Following his arrest, a bag of marijuana was found in Kelemete’s sweatshirt. It was revealed that he did not possess a valid driver’s license or a medical marijuana card. Additionally, the suspect was on parole at the time.
Kelemete was taken into custody at 10:35 p.m. on Sunday and is now facing the following charges: receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle (second-degree felony), failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop (class B misdemeanor), reckless driving (class B misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance marijuana/spice (class B misdemeanor), operating a vehicle without a license or registration (suspended or revoked) (class C misdemeanor), and speeding 100 mph or more (infraction).
The court has ordered Kelemete to be held without bail as the investigation progresses.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public cooperation and adherence to the commands of law enforcement officers. The Utah Highway Patrol, along with other agencies involved, is committed to ensuring public safety and apprehending individuals who pose a threat to the community..
