High speed pursuit turns to multi-agency foot chase; suspect found hiding in tree and arrested

On May 22, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a Kanab City Police Officer was on patrol when he observed a gray dodge pickup truck with Arizona license plates speeding west bound on 300 South near the Kanab City Cemetery. The officer activated his emergency lights and made a U-turn to attempt to stop the speeding driver. The driver sped up reaching speeds of 60 mph approaching the traffic signal at 300 south 100 east in Kanab.

The driver sped through the red light at the signal and headed into the Kanab Creek Ranchos area on Powell drive at a high rate of speed. Near the end of Powell drive the driver turned onto Navajo drive to Escalante drive and then back to Powell drive where he drove north bound. The officer called for assistance to help stop the truck right after he ran the red light. Several officers from the Kanab City Police Department, The Kane County Sheriff’s Office, The Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, BLM Rangers and the Fredonia Marshall’s Office responded to the area.

The driver turned in to the Catori Canyon development and found a dirt road in an attempt to hide. The driver high centered the truck in a wash and fled on foot. The Kane County Swat team was activated to assist with the tracking of the driver. It was determined that a male driver had been the sole occupant of the truck and his footprints were located in the sand near the truck.

An alert resident from the Cedar Heights subdivision called 911 to report a suspicious man walking through back yards and heading towards the creek near the Cedar Heights bridge. A Sheriff’s deputy observed the suspicious male heading north from the bridge. Law enforcement from the various agency’s set a perimeter around the area and began searching for the man. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter was called to assist in the search. After an hour or so of searching both from the ground and from the air an alert officer observed the male hiding up in a cottonwood tree about 30 feet above the ground. The male was taken into custody without any further incident.

It was determined the male was a 17-year-old run away from Sun Valley Arizona that had stolen his stepfather’s truck and was attempting to get to the state of Oregon. The Juvenile was transported to Hurricane Utah on several felony charges and is being held at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Facility. The Kanab City Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their quick response and assistance in resolving the incident in a safe manner:

Kane County Sheriff’s Office

Kane County Sheriff’s Dispatch

Utah Highway Patrol

Utah Department of Public Safety

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Fredonia Marshall’s Office

BLM Rangers

Kanab City Fire Department/Ambulance