SOUTH WEBER, Davis County — A West Valley man was charged Thursday with trying to run over officers and a police K-9 before leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash.
Mark Aaron Wehrli, 41, is charged in 2nd District Court with failing to stop for an officer, injuring or interfering with a police K-9, and possession of a weapon by a restricted person, all third-degree felonies, plus other charges.
A Davis County sheriff’s deputy said he observed Wehrli “acting suspiciously” Monday at a gas station in South Weber. The deputy “grew suspicious of (Wehrli) because he continually looked at him while rearranging items inside of a vehicle,” according to charging documents. “Also, additional research showed (he) had a criminal history involving controlled substances and weapon offenses.”
When Wehrli exited the parking lot, he stopped his car on the sidewalk, prompting the deputy to pull him over.
“During the traffic stop, (the deputy) saw (Wehrli) continue to move items around in the car,” the charges state.
The deputy used his car’s loudspeaker to order Wehrli to put his hands out the window. The deputy called for backup and a second deputy and police K-9 arrived at the scene.
As the K-9 was sniffing around the outside of the vehicle, Wehrli “turned his wheels toward one of the assisting deputies and K-9 Rino and accelerated toward them both. The deputy jumped out of the way to avoid getting hit by the car and K-9 Rino’s handler pulled the leash so (Wehrli) missed running over K-9 Rino by mere inches,” according to the charges.
Wehrli sped away at more than 100 mph, forcing troopers to call off the pursuit due to safety concerns. While deputies were chasing him, they noticed Wehrli appeared to be throwing things out the window, according to the charges. Police later reported finding marijuana along the side of the road.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers spotted Wehrli shortly after and resumed the chase, and spiked his tires, the charges state. Wehrli lost control of his car and crashed into a hill.
Wehrli was arrested at gunpoint.
While searching him, deputies discovered that he was carrying several knives, as well as drugs and drug paraphernalia in his backpack, according to the charging documents.
In addition to the three felonies, Wehrli was also charged with reckless endangerment, obstructing justice and drug possession, all class A misdemeanors; drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, both class B misdemeanors; and a traffic infraction.