On Oct. 14 at approximately 1 p.m. near Green River a silver passenger car was stopped by the Utah Highway Patrol for speeding. While in contact with the subject he could not provide a current driver license and gave implausible travel plans. The suspect agreed to the search and from inside the vehicle, he opened the trunk. He then placed the vehicle in drive departed traveling east on I-70 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle traveled through Green River then went south of I-70 onto the old missile base.
The suspect drove the vehicle through a locked gate of the missile base and stopped approximately 500 yards from the base. The suspect exited the vehicle with a handgun and took cover behind his vehicle. Over the next several hours, the suspect would appear from behind the vehicle with the handgun pointed to his head.
The man was taken into custody at 5:55 p.m. without further incident. He was transported to the hospital for medical clearance before being admitted into the Grand County Jail.
Sheriff James D. Nyland, would like to thank Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Moab Police Department, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Emery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Utah Highway Patrol for their assistance in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.
The suspect was identified as Mark R. Leeper, age: 35 from Clairidge, Pa. He was charged with second degree Felony – Vehicle Theft; third degree Felony – Evading; third degree Felony – Felony discharge of a firearm; third degree Felony – Felon in Possession of a handgun; third degree Felony – Aggravated assault Class B Misdemeanor – Carrying a Dangerous weapon while under the influence; bail set at $250,000 cash only.
High speed chase near Green River
"Mark R. Leeper from Pennsylvania."