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Press Release

Utah Residents Face Federal Charges After Allegedly Attempting to Forcibly Take an Elderly Man’s Vehicle

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah returned an indictment charging an Ogden man and woman with carjacking an SUV that belonged to an elderly citizen.

According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, Elvis Tahirovic, 33, and Brittany Ann Peters, 33, fled from Salt Lake City Police in a reported stolen Mercedes out of South Salt Lake. Salt Lake City Police initiated a high-speed pursuit, that was terminated due to public safety. Utilizing the Department of Public Safety helicopter, Tahirovic and Peters were tracked crossing into Davis, Weber and Box Elder Counties before troopers utilized a “cold spike” to flatten the Mercedes tires in Weber County. According to the complaint, at the intersection of Higley Road, the Mercedes came to an abrupt stop and Peters ran to a Chevrolet Tahoe at a stop sign and opened the driver’s door. Tahirovic also exited the Mercedes and ran to the driver’s door of the Tahoe, and forcibly removed the elderly victim out of his SUV before getting behind the wheel. Peters entered the passenger’s seat of the Tahoe. Tahirovic and Peters were unable to take off in the vehicle because the victim took the keys out of the ignition. Unable to flee, Tahirovic charged for the victim, but authorities arrived and took Tahirovic and Peters into custody.

Tahirovic and Peters are charged with one count of carjacking. The defendants made their initial court appearance on their indictment February 16, 2023, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carlos Esqueda, for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Contact

Felicia Martinez
Public Affairs Specialist
Felicia.martinez@usdoj.gov
(801) 325-3237

Updated February 24, 2023

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Violent Crime
Component
Press Release Number: 23-13