Follow-up: Drug deal gone bad/car chase/shooting/recovered stolen vehicle in Taylorsville.

June 18, 2016

WHO: Arrested: James Castrillon 30 year old male
Arrested: Elvis Andrews 35 year old male

WHAT: 2 Arrests Made

WHERE: 5700 South 2200 West

WHEN: June 18, 2016

Taylorsville- On Saturday evening, June 18th, Unified Police Department (UPD) responded to multiple calls of reckless drivers eastbound on 5400 S. from 3200 W. Information given was that a white Nissan Altima was being chased by a blue/green Hyundai Elantra, and that the occupants of the Hyundai were shooting at the Altima. The chase turned south on 2200 W. into a residential neighborhood where both cars continued to speed at a very high rate. The white Altima ultimately crashed through a fence into a yard at the end of a dead end circle and the occupants fled on foot. The Hyundai circled back to a church parking lot, where the occupants of the Altima had fled, and fired another round at them. The occupants of the Nissan Altima attempted to get into the LDS church for cover, which prompted a burglary in progress call.

Ultimately, officers located one male who had fled from the Altima. He admitted that the entire ordeal had originated at 3200 W. 5400 S. after a narcotics transaction for a large amount of methamphetamine had gone badly. Officers discovered that the Nissan Altima had been stolen from a dealership back in May, but had a different license plate on it that wasn’t listed stolen. Officers also located a 9mm bullet casing in the roadway as they re-traced the route taken by the suspects during the car chase.

It is extremely fortunate that no one was killed or injured as a result of the blatant disregard for human life displayed by all parties involved in this ordeal. The fact that no one was hit by a stray bullet or one of the vehicles is amazing. The threat to public safety that the occupants of the blue/green Hyundai represented made them a priority for law enforcement. UPD Taylorsville Precinct Officers worked diligently, around the clock, in an effort to locate and arrest those responsible for this incident.

Last night, June 20th, around 6:30pm, Officers from the Taylorsville Precinct located the suspected shooter, James Castrillon, in a stolen vehicle in the Taylorsville area. He and his passenger, Elvis Andrews, were arrested. A 9mm handgun was recovered from the vehicle. Both parties were booked into jail on numerous charges. Castrillon was booked on charges including: Aggravated Assault, Receive/Transfer a Stolen Vehicle, Possession of a firearm by a class 1 restricted person, felony discharge of a firearm, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

UPD feels confident that Castrillon was the person responsible for shooting at the stolen Nissan Altima, from the blue/green Hyundai, during the high speed chase. The investigation continues, but we are very grateful that this dangerous individual is off the streets. Anyone with tips or information regarding this event are encouraged to call UPD dispatch at 801-743-7000.

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