COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A man who police say had several warrants for his arrest allegedly tried to pull out a stolen handgun while officers were arresting him Monday afternoon, according to an affidavit of probably cause.
William Briant Avery, 41, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault, theft of a firearm, being a restricted person with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and interference with a police officer, according to the police affidavit.
Cottonwood Heights police received information that Avery was at a Target grocery store at 7025 S. Park Centre Drive. According to police, Avery had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest, and officers began to locate him.
Officers waited outside of the grocery store and as Avery exited the store, police approached him and told him he was under arrest, according to the affidavit. As Avery was being placed in handcuffs, he “attempted to run away from a uniformed officer,” police say.
The officers were able to wrestle Avery to the ground, but police say “he continued to resist arrest and disregarded all commands to stop resisting.” Avery made “numerous attempts” to reach for something in his front pocket, according to the affidavit.
Eventually, officers were able to subdue Avery, and he was taken into police custody.
While police searched Avery, they found a stolen handgun in his front pocket and police believe he “was attempting to take out of his pocket during the struggle,” the affidavit states.
Officers also found an “unsheathed blade-edged weapon with a blade length of approximately 12-16 inches,” the affidavit states.
Police also found “a used syringe and packs of suboxone” in Avery’s possession, charges say.
