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MIDVALE — A man who police say has a "significant history of stealing vehicles" has been arrested for allegedly carjacking a woman and then getting into a chase with police that ended with a patrol car being hit.
Ioelu Ioelu Toafe, 40, was arrested on Sunday for investigation of aggravated robbery, receiving a stolen vehicle, being a restricted person in possession of a weapon, failing to stop for police and drug possession.
About 9:15 p.m., a woman was getting into her car near 7155 S. High Park Drive when Toafe "forcibly removed the victim from the driver seat" and demanded her keys while brandishing a gun, according to a police booking affidavit.
"The victim responded that the keys were in the vehicle. The male told the victim 'Don't do anything stupid' and left in the vehicle," the affidavit states.
Unified police believe the carjacking was random and the victim and Toafe do not know each other.
The woman contacted police who were able to track her car using the woman's cellphone which was still in the vehicle, the affidavit states. Officers attempted to pull Toafe over near 4500 South State, but he refused to stop and a chase was initiated.
Near 1200 South and 1700 West, Toafe turned onto a dead-end road and then slammed into a Salt Lake City patrol car while trying to escape, according to the affidavit. No injuries were reported. He was arrested shortly after.
After being taken into custody, Toafe allegedly told officers that "his intentions were to steal the car to get some quick cash," according to the affidavit. "He admitted to being with a group of people out stealing vehicles."
Police say Toafe has a lengthy criminal history, including being charged in April in connection with another stolen vehicle, according to court records. A warrant was issued for his arrest in that case in September for failing to show up for court and remained outstanding at the time of his arrest on Sunday.
