What began as a routine traffic stop evolved into a skirmish when sheriff’s deputies tried to take the driver into custody last Friday in the north Mohave County community of Cane Beds. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the incident began at about 10:30 a.m. when deputies noticed a vehicle with a faulty brake light committing traffic violations.
Deputies pulled over the vehicle on highway 389, recognizing its driver as Ezra Barlow, knowing the 36 year old Colorado City resident to be named in an arrest warrant.
“Deputies observed Barlow was gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were turning white,” Mortensen said. She said Barlow was informed that he was being detained and that a deputy reached through a window to prevent Barlow from trying to flee.
“A struggle ensued and Barlow was able to free a hand and place the car in drive and sped off,” Mortensen said. “The vehicle struck the deputy in the arm and shoulder, knocking him to the ground.
The uninjured deputy jumped into his patrol unit and gave chase before ending the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Authorities were unsuccessfully searching for Barlow for about two hours before they used his cell phone pings to trace him.
Mortensen said deputies located the abandoned suspect vehicle just across the Arizona line on Uzona Avenue in Hildale, Utah. Shortly thereafter, Colorado city marshals located and arrested Barlow.
Barlow was jailed in Washington County, Utah for aggravated assault upon an officer, resisting arrest, unlawful flight and reckless driving.
