SALT LAKE CITY — Police arrested a man days after Utah Highway Patrol officers aided a man with multiple torture wounds who was found running naked along I-15.
On Thursday, Utah Highway Patrol troopers spotted a man “running naked through traffic” in the area of 300 North and I-15, according to a police affidavit.
“The victim was covered in blood, scrapes and burn marks all over his upper body. His nose and face was covered in blood and welts, he was bleeding out of his ear, and had multiple small burn marks on his back and arms. The victim was also very scared. The victim told officers that he was kidnapped and tortured,” the affidavit states.
Police determined the alleged torture happened in a motel near 750 West and North Temple. The victim told detectives he went to the hotel room to do drugs with others, but those people later attacked him, tore off his clothes and burned him, according to the affidavit. He escaped after a hotel employee knocked on the door due to a noise complaint.
“Officers responded to this address where they were able to enter the room and found it in disarray with blood and obvious signs of a struggle,” the affidavit states.
On Sunday, police located Patrick Shipley, 37, and took him to the Salt Lake City Police Department “where he admitted knowing the victim whom he referred to as a liar and manipulator. (He) refused to answer any further questions without an attorney,” according to the affidavit.
Shipley was arrested for investigation of aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping.
“The victim in the case was extremely reluctant to provide information to officers even though he had clearly been held against his will, tortured and assaulted,” the affidavit states.