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- Five documented gang members were arrested after a weekend shooting in Midvale.
- A police chase led to the arrest of three adults and two teens.
- Christian Pena Renteria, previously convicted in a drive-by shooting, was among those arrested.
MIDVALE — Five documented gang members were taken into custody over the weekend following a shooting investigation, including one man recently convicted in a drive-by shooting investigation last year that injured a toddler.
About 7:30 p.m. Friday, a Unified police supervisor was in the area of 8250 S. Main when multiple gunshots were heard. A black Subaru Legacy was seen fleeing the area and officers attempted to pull it over.
"Officers continued to follow the vehicle throughout Sandy, West Jordan and South Jordan," according to a police booking affidavit. "Officers observed occupants of a vehicle, near 7800 South, traveling north, discard what appear to be firearms from the passenger side window. Officers were close enough to the vehicle to describe two handguns were thrown from the vehicle."
While attempting to make a U-turn near 7000 South and the Bangerter Highway, the Subaru hit another vehicle, the affidavit says. Police were able to successfully stop the vehicle a short time later.
"In plain view, officers located multiple spent shell casings in the passenger rear of the vehicle floorboard. Officers also observed what appeared to be a bullet hole in the rear passenger door," according to the arrest report. "A total of 20+ spent casings were located near 8250 S. Main. There are also two additional locations where there are spent casings."
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Christian Pena Renteria, 19, Miguel Guzman Garcia, 18, and Luis David Quintana Melo, 20, were each arrested for investigation of 10 counts of illegal discharge of a firearm and tampering with evidence. Renteria was also arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and failing to stop for police. Two others, ages 16 and 17, were also taken into custody. All five occupants of the vehicle are known gang members, the affidavit states.
Last year, Renteria was arrested following a drive-by shooting and police chase that resulted in a 2-year-old bystander being hit by a bullet fragment. He pleaded guilty in that case to illegal discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 16.
