WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — A Cedar City man is in custody after stealing a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle, then leading authorities on a chase through Zion National Park, Friday morning, officials confirmed Sunday.
The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. when a deputy was dispatched to LaVerkin on a report of stolen vehicle that was stationary by OnStar, said Shauna Jones, deputy chief of the sheriff’s office.
When the deputy pulled into the area, 1037 N. State Street, another vehicle was leaving. Jones said the deputy stopped to talk to the driver when the passenger from vehicle jumped out the car and drove off in the deputy’s Charger.
The suspect, identified as Clayton Glenn Campbell, was pursued by Hurricane and LaVerkin Police Departments.
Campbell started to make his way toward Zion National Park, Jones said. Springdale police, park authorities and Kane County Sheriff’s Office were also made aware of the pursuit.
Jones said Hurricane police lost sight of Campbell near Rockville. He was again seen by the tunnel inside Zion National Park.
Jones said the suspect’s tires were spiked at the east entrance to the park.
Officials discovered Campbell was involved in the stolen vehicle in LaVerkin initially reported, Jones said.
Campbell was booked into Washington County Jail on the following charges: driving with measurable control substance, outstanding warrant, suspended driver’s license, providing false information to a police officer, reckless driving, two counts of possession or receiving stolen vehicle and evading by vehicle.
The person Campbell was riding with before he allegedly jumped into the deputy’s car, has not been arrested. Jones said the driver’s involvement is still under investigation.
It is unknown how fast the chase was or if dashcam inside the stolen vehicle was on at the time.
