Executive Summary
- A suspect fleeing Salt Lake City police entered the Rocky Mountain Power North Temple office Thursday afternoon.
- Employees sheltered in place from approximately 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. per security protocols.
- Law enforcement apprehended the suspect inside the building and issued an all-clear without further incident.
SALT LAKE CITY – Operations at the Rocky Mountain Power North Temple office were disrupted Thursday afternoon after a police pursuit culminated with a suspect entering the facility, compelling employees to shelter in place.
According to Jona Whitesides, a spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Power, the incident began shortly after 3:00 p.m. An individual, actively being pursued by the Salt Lake City Police Department, gained unauthorized access to the office building. In response to the breach, staff members immediately adhered to established security protocols and sheltered in place while law enforcement managed the scene.
The situation persisted for approximately two hours. Whitesides confirmed that law enforcement officers successfully apprehended the suspect at approximately 5:00 p.m. Following the arrest, authorities issued an all-clear, allowing employees to safely exit the building.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Public Safety and Security Response
The swift apprehension of the suspect within a corporate environment underscores the volatility of police pursuits that terminate in populated commercial zones. The incident highlights the efficacy of the shelter-in-place protocols utilized by Rocky Mountain Power, which likely mitigated the risk of a hostage situation or bystander injury. As the investigation proceeds, the focus will likely shift to the circumstances precipitating the initial pursuit and the specific security measures that allowed the suspect to enter the facility.
