Police: Suspect arrested after assaulting and attempting to disarm police in Washington City

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah, May 7, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Washington City police say a man they arrested for multiple vehicle violations assaulted them and attempted to gain control of their weapons before they can take him into custody.
Suspect Jay Scott Taylor, 48, was arrested for obstructing a front window, failing to register a vehicle in Utah and using license plates from the former owner, according to his statement of probable cause.
“During the range of the traffic stop, a K-9 free air sniff from outside the vehicle was performed,” the statement, filed by a Washington City police officer, read. “The result of the sniff was positive.
“As he attempted to arrest the suspect, he began to fight with officers. As he attempted to hold the suspect to the ground, he began attempting to retrieve Sgt. Wilstead’s service pistol The suspect had both hands on Sgt. Wilstead’s gun, attempting to disarm it.The suspect then attempted to disarm my taser from my thigh holster.
Taylor was able to get to her feet and began running towards her vehicle, the statement said.
“Upon arriving at his vehicle, he retrieved a gray and black backpack from the front passenger seat of his vehicle. Inside the backpack contained two pistols. Both pistols were loaded with ammunition.
“As the suspect was still fighting with myself and Sgt. Wilstead, he then retrieved a gun from his backpack,” the probable cause statement reads.
“I observed that the gun was in his right hand and he was trying to get it across his left side body where Sgt. Wilstead was located. I tied myself to his wrist and was able to forcefully pull the gun out of his hand.
Officers managed to handcuff Taylor.
“Right next to the suspect was a second gun which also fell out of his backpack. A criminal background check was performed on suspect Jay Taylor, and I observed that Jay had a felony conviction in Texas.
Taylor was incarcerated in Washington County Jail on the initial charges of:
- Two counts of disarming an officer, a first-degree felony
- Two counts of aggravated assault, a third degree felony
- Two counts of purchase, transfer, possession or use of a firearm by a person with restricted access, a third degree felony
- Two counts of failing to arrest on the orders of law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor
- Interfering with an arresting officer, a class B misdemeanor
Taylor was taken to jail, where he is being held without bail.