Man arrested for alleged drug possession, assault that required 18 stitches from Sandy police officer

SANDY, Utah, May 28, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Sandy City police attempted a traffic stop early Tuesday morning on a bicyclist and ended up arresting him for investigation of multiple drug violations and assaults.

Richard Kelly Hansen, 41, was arrested at 12:49 a.m. by officers in the area of ​​8465 S. State, which the arresting officer said is an area of ​​high crime and drug sales.

The officer noted Hansen left on an electric bike without a tail light, his affidavit states. The officer activated the patrol vehicle's lights and siren, and Hansen continued to drive away.

“I then ordered Hansen to stop fleeing over the loudspeaker in my patrol vehicle, Hansen refused and continued to flee,” the arrest document states. “Hansen continued to flee and escape while in downtown Sandy, crossing several streets and courtyards, this lasted for approximately five minutes.”

Additional officers arrived, and one got out of his vehicle and was able to catch up with Hansen, who turned into the officer, causing the two to collide and fall into a chain-link fence.

“I got out of my patrol vehicle and ran towards (the officer) who was now fighting with Hansen. I quickly grabbed Hansen's right arm, I then felt Hansen resist my grip by pulling his arm towards his body, preventing the officers from handcuffing him, Hansen continued to resist myself and the two other officers wrote the Sandy City police officer who filed the affidavit.

Hansen was taken into custody and the officer who fought with Hansen was transported to Intermountain Medical Center for treatment of an eyelid laceration that required 18 stitches.

The police officer also had bruises and a broken tooth.

Hansen provided false or incomplete information regarding his identity, the release states. A search of him revealed drugs and drug paraphernalia. It included what Hansen identified as bags of methamphetamine, fentanyl and plastic.

Hansen was arrested for investigation into:

• Two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a second-degree felony
• Assault on a peace officer, a class A misdemeanor
• Two counts of Possession of Schedule I/II/Analog Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Three counts of failure to stop when ordered by law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor
• Two counts of obstructing justice, a class A misdemeanor
• Three counts of obstructing a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor
• Providing false information to a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor
• Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor
• Compulsory bicycle lamps and reflectors, an offense

He was held without bail.