LOGAN — A 21-year-old Ogden man has pleaded guilty to stealing a car last week in Logan, and then leading police on a high speed chase through three counties.
Israel Lopez appeared in 1st District Court Tuesday morning. He accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to the amended charges of theft by receiving stolen property and obstructing justice.
State attorney Jacob Gordon said Lopez stole the car early on the morning of October 15. He then hit another vehicle while trying to flee.
Police report an officer spotted the stolen car, after the victim inside the second vehicle called 911. The car was driving southbound on US-89/91, near the Y intersection. When the officer turned on his lights and sirens, attempting a traffic stop, the vehicle sped up and continued south at speeds around 95 mph.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers joined the pursuit as the stolen vehicle entered Sardine Canyon. They attempted several times to spike the vehicles tires unsuccessfully, as Lopez swerved in and out of lanes.
The chase continued through the canyon at speeds of 95-100 mph. As the car approached Brigham City, troopers called off their pursuit, out of concern for the increased traffic and threat to public safety.
Lopez allegedly continued into Weber County where troopers again spotted the stolen vehicle and pulled it over. He was taken into custody without incident and transferred to the Cache County Jail.
During Tuesday’s court appearance, Judge Brian Cannell ordered Lopez to appear for sentencing December 4.
Court records show Lopez has multiple felony convictions in Weber County.