UINTAH COUNTY, Utah – A man was arrested and police are seeking another suspect after a stolen truck was crashed into a building in Vernal Saturday.
Police officials stated a welding truck was stolen from a Vernal mobile home park at 545 E. 500 North.
According to a press release from the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began just after midnight when the truck was reported stolen. While police were gathering information at the scene of the theft, an accident was reported at 601 S. Vernal Ave., and witnesses stated a truck had crashed into a building and that two people had fled the scene on foot.
Officers determined the truck that had hit the structure was the stolen welding truck, and police responded to the scene of the crash. Officers located and arrested 18-year-old Anthony Espinoza Jr., who was “booked into jail on felony joyriding, failure to stop at the command of a peace officer, illegal consumption, and disorderly conduct.”
Espinoza initially fled from officers when they located him in the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex, but he was found a short time later hiding under a blanket, according to the press release. He was transported to jail after being checked out by medical crews.
Police said they believe Espinoza took the truck and was driving it when it crashed into the structure. Police are still seeking the second suspect.
