An armed man was taken into custody outside the Uintah County Library by Vernal City Police on Monday morning. According to Library Director Sam Passey, Vernal City Police and other agencies responded promptly and the man surrendered to police without incident. Vernal City Police issued a press release on the incident stating that officers responded to information received from a concerned citizen about an individual with a handgun and acting suspiciously. “Upon arrival, Officers contacted 39-year-old Vernal resident Thomas Edward Lackey outside the library,” shares Vernal PD. “During the contact it was determined that Lackey unlawfully possessed a handgun which had previously been reported stolen. Lackey was placed under arrest and booked into the Uintah County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, Possession of a Firearm by an Intoxicated Person, Intoxication, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Library Director Sam Passey expressed appreciation for the officers who responded. “On behalf of the Library’s staff,” shared Passey, “I’d like to thank the Vernal City Police for their quick response.”
