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SLCPD VCAT and SWAT Team Safely Take Fugitive into Custody

SANDY, UTAH — Tonight, the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and the department’s SWAT Team safely arrested a wanted fugitive.

At approximately 3:50 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, the SLCPD’s VCAT Squad attempted to contact, and arrest, 32-year-old Zachary Forsberg inside a hotel located in the 7500 block of South Union Park Avenue in Sandy.

Once VCAT detectives confirmed Forsberg was inside the hotel room, they tried calling him and knocking on his door, but they never received a response.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, May 22, 2023, SLCPD patrol officers responded to an address near 500 South Cheyenne Street to investigate a domestic violence incident.

Forsberg ran from the house.

Patrol officers set up a perimeter around the house and began a search looking for Forsberg.

Officers believe Forsberg left the neighborhood before officers arrived.

At the time of the domestic violence incident, Forsberg had an outstanding parole warrant for aggravated assault and was under the supervision of Utah’s Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P).

VCAT detectives worked with SLCPD detectives and developed information about Forsberg’s location at the hotel in Sandy.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., on Friday, May 26, 2023, because Forsberg previously ran away from officers, and his violent past, the on-scene incident commander for VCAT requested the assistance of SLCPD SWAT and crisis negotiators. These highly trained teams provide patrol officers with additional resources.

SLCPD crisis negotiators reached Forsberg by video conference and asked him repeatedly to exit the room.

VCAT and SWAT officers learned Forsberg had barricaded himself inside.

At approximately 9 p.m., on Friday, May 26, 2023, after obtaining a court-authorized search warrant, SWAT officers used a device to breach the hotel room door, which resulted in Forsberg surrendering without further incident.

Forsberg will be booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on his outstanding warrant. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The SLCPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) is a specialty unit within the department responsible for combating violent crime, by identifying and apprehending violent criminals and fugitives.  This unit works under the SLCPD Special Operations Division but also works closely with the Investigations, Patrol and Data and Research divisions to identify and direct targeted enforcement of hot spot areas and areas of rising violent crime.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Four photos from the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

No further information is available for release.

1 – A Salt Lake City Police Department Crisis Negotiator on scene of a SWAT call out in Sandy, Utah (SLCPD Photo | May 26, 2023).

2 – A Salt Lake City Police Department patrol car at the scene of a SWAT call-out in Sandy, Utah (SLCPD Photo | May 26, 2023).

3 – A Salt Lake City Police Department sergeant speaks with a firefighter with the Sandy Fire Department (SLCPD Photo | May 26, 2023).

4 – A member of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s SWAT Team speaks with a firefighter and a SLCPD SWAT medic (SLCPD Photo | May 26, 2023).

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