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SLCPD Enhanced Patrol Operations Results in Recovery of 2 Firearms

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department seized two firearms during this weekend’s enhanced patrol operations in the city’s entertainment district.

The enhanced patrols, which will continue throughout the summer, are focused on deterring crime and providing a sense of security to our community.

The Salt Lake City Police Department continues to proactively address recent violent crime around 60 West Market Street.

At 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023, detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) approached a car parked at 325 South West Temple.

As the detectives got closer to the car, they saw the passenger side door opened and saw an extended ammunition magazine and a gun on the floorboard near the passenger’s feet.

The passenger, 22-year-old Angel D. Aguado-Estrada, refused to exit the car. Officers and detectives safely took Aguado-Estrada into custody and secured the firearm.

Officers booked Aguado-Estrada into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on one count of public intoxication and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A photo of the firearm recovered is being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

1 – A photo of a black handgun seized by Salt Lake City Police (SLCPD photo | June 18, 2023).

At 4:26 a.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023, a SLCPD lieutenant conducted a traffic stop after being told about a fight in progress near 351 South West Temple. During the investigation, officers recovered a firearm inside the car.

Officers booked the gun into evidence and detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Gang Unit will work with prosecutors to screen charges.

No arrests resulted from either the initial fight or the possession of the firearm.

A photo of the firearm recovered is being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

2 – A black handgun seized by Salt Lake City Police (SLCPD photo | June 18, 2023).

During this weekend’s enhanced patrol operations, officers and detectives responded to several fights including a large fight at 55 East Exchange Place.

When officers got on scene around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023, they found multiple fights occurring inside the parking structure on several floors. More than a dozen officers from across the city responded to control the situation. Many of the people involved in the fight were described by officers as extremely intoxicated.

Officers safely cleared the area but received little cooperation from people on scene.

Officers did not make any arrests.

In addition to patrolling along Market Street, officers patrolled Pierpont Avenue, West Temple, State Street, Main Street, Cactus Street and Exchange Place.

This weekend’s enhanced patrol operations included officers and detectives assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Division Patrol Bike Squad, the SLCPD’s Gang Unit, the SLCPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), and the SLCPD’s Motor Squad.

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

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.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Gang Unit is responsible for investigating gang-related crimes that occur within the city’s jurisdiction. The unit consists of highly trained uniformed officers and detectives who work collaboratively with patrol divisions and other specialty squads within the SLCPD to gather information and focus on preventing gang and gun violence through education, prevention, and enforcement.

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.

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