Utah man arrested in Montana after allegedly assaulting wife, fleeing the state

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SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A Utah man who was suspected of assaulting his wife in Summit County was arrested in Montana on Tuesday morning.

Officials were first informed about the alleged assault just after noon Monday, when a man reported an assault that had taken place at his parents’ home, according to a press release from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

When officials arrived on the scene, they found an elderly woman who “had been violently assaulted and needed immediate medical attention,” the release said. The woman was taken to the hospital by helicopter after the incident.

“Investigators quickly discovered that the perpetrator of the aggravated assault was the victim’s husband,” the release said.

The woman was not able to report the assault immediately after because of her “incapacitating injuries,” according to the sheriff’s office. Because she was unable to report it right away, her husband was able to leave the scene before deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect was tracked by investigators who used bank transaction information and license plate recognition technology. Agencies in Utah and its neighboring states were advised to be on the lookout for the suspect and his vehicle.

Investigators learned that the suspect “likely traveled through Idaho and may have been heading towards Montana,” according to the release.

The suspect was located and taken into custody by Montana law enforcement around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday after he reportedly attempted to flee from Montana authorities.

A Utah court issued an arrest warrant and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said it was working with authorities in Montana to arrange the transportation of the suspect back to Utah.

Officials later released the identity of the suspect, but ABC4.com is not naming him to protect the victim’s identity.

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