2019 file photo for illustration purposes only of Santa Clara-Ivins police units responding to a deal in Santa Clara, Utah on February 16, 2019 | Photo courtesy of the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department, St. George News
ST. GEORGE – A suspect wanted on an attempted murder warrant from Nevada is in the Washington County Jail after he was arrested Monday at Old Dixie Highway 91 near the Shivwits Reservation – an encounter that police said included a police officer from Santa Clara-Ivins was injured.
The suspect, 52-year-old Jamie Farmer, was arrested near the Shivwits grocery store parking lot just before 3pm after officers were sent to a report showing Farmer had been dropped off at the store. The witness said they spotted the suspect getting out of the car, Santa Clara-Ivins Police Sgt. Reed Briggs told St. George News.
The sighting happened two hours before the witness called her, Briggs said. When officers responded, they were surprised that Farmer was still in the area and called for help, prompting several police units to respond to the scene, including a number of Washington County Sheriff’s deputies.
St. George News reached out to Lincoln County Sheriff Derek Foremaster, who said Farmer was wanted for attempted murder in connection with an incident reported Jan. 20 involving an altercation between Farmer and an adult man in Lincoln County . During the encounter, Foremaster said, the victim was injured when Farmer allegedly attacked him with a long-bladed knife and then fled the scene. The incident was then reported to the police.
He continued the investigation concluded that Farmer intended to cause serious or possibly worse physical harm based on witness accounts and other evidence gathered during the investigation. It was the suspect’s intent that formed the basis of the attempted murder charge.
When officers were unable to locate the suspect, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on the department’s Facebook page, showing that authorities were seeking information on the whereabouts of Farmer, who was last seen walking him drove a blue-green Ford Explorer with Nevada plates. Authorities also asked for the public’s help in locating the suspect, who was said to be “armed and dangerous”.
After the stabbing, Nevada authorities were unable to locate the suspect despite multiple large-scale searches conducted throughout the area, Foremaster said. Days later, they received word that Farmer might be in southern Utah and contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for help. His office was told Monday afternoon that Farmer was in custody.
During Monday’s encounter at the supermarket at Old Dixie Highway 91, Briggs said Farmer became combative amid the chaos and fought with the officers who held the suspect at gunpoint. It was only when one of the officers used a taser that they were able to subdue the suspect, who was then arrested without further incident.
One of the local Santa Clara-Ivins police officers was injured during the fight and was subsequently taken to St. George Regional Hospital for evaluation and treatment, Briggs said.
Sheriff Sgt. Lucas Alfred said when the call went through, several MPs responded to the scene and helped with the arrest. From there, the sheriff’s office will handle the case as they work with Lincoln County authorities to bring Farmer back to Nevada to answer the charges once any local charges are resolved.
Efforts by multiple agencies were also recognized by the Lincoln County Sheriff, who commended the officers and agencies involved in Farmer’s capture — efforts that led to the arrest of a dangerous individual.
“We are grateful to law enforcement officials in southern Utah for their efforts that led to a successful outcome with the suspect in custody,” Foremaster said.
This report is based on testimony obtained from court records, the police or other emergency services and may not contain the full scope of the findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court or otherwise determined by a hearing of evidence.
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