By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The streets are safer today after local law enforcement
officers arrested a 53-year old man who was on Utah's Most
Wanted Criminals list.
Arrested was Brent Nisonger, second on the list of most
wanted, who was taken from Juab County Jail directly to the
Utah State Prison, located in Draper, near Point of the
Mountain (alongside Interstate-15).
Carl Howard, Nephi City Police Officer, said local
officers had been notified that the man was northbound on
Interstate-15 traveling from St. George to Salt Lake
City.
"We were alerted that he was armed and was considered
very dangerous and that we should use extreme caution," said
Howard.
The man had a number of federal violations on record, had
been released from prison on parole but had violated the
terms of his parole. He was also wanted for other crimes
committed since his release from prison.
"This individual exited the freeway south of Nephi," said
Howard.
Nisonger drove behind Circle C Truck Stop and was noticed
by employees at that business.
"They have a scanner and knew we were looking for an
individual in the same type of vehicle they had noticed so
they contacted law enforcement," said Howard.
At that time, he and Officer Shawn Carter headed toward
the location south of Nephi. They were joined by Utah
Highway Patrol Trooper David Henrie who had been dispatched
and requested to assist city police by Richfield UHP
dispatch.
As they arrived, one of the informants came out of Circle
C and said the man and his vehicle had driven across the
street to the west between Tesoro and Burger King. They had
then lost sight of the vehicle.
Carter traveled to the back of Mickelson's Restaurant to
see if he could locate the vehicle.
Howard then noticed the vehicle coming around Burger King
from the direction of the drive-up window.
Officer Carter and Trooper Henrie joined Howard in making
a felony stop in the parking lot of Burger King, said
Howard.
The officers boxed the Nisonger vehicle in with Henrie on
the passenger side of the vehicle, Carter on the driver's
side and Howard directly behind the vehicle.
Howard stepped from his police car and aimed his shotgun
at Nisonger. Henrie then asked Nisonger to step out of his
vehicle. Nisonger was warned to keep his hands up. Officers
then handcuffed him and "patted him down," said Howard.
The arrest was made on Halloween Evening, Tuesday,
October 31, at 7:30 p.m.
"We arrested Nisonger without incident and without injury
to anyone," said Howard.
As Nisonger was searched, officers found martial arts
steel Ninja throwing stars as well as knives on his person.
In addition, he was in possession of a 17-caliber pellet gun
which is considered a weapon in the hands of a felon because
it expels a projectile.
"The vehicle was searched and an open container of
alcohol was also located," said Howard.
Nisonger is being charged with parole violation,
aggravated assault, burglary, possession of a controlled
substance, purchase of a dangerous weapon by a parolee,
being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft by
receiving stolen property.
He is also a suspect in a murder.
Some charges may still be pending, said Howard.
|
