An officer who initiated a traffic stop on a speeding car in Duchesne County was in for a shocking confession when he made contact with the driver. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, the officer approached the passenger window and observed the driver with his hands in his lap shaking. He made contact and the driver told him that he had just stolen the vehicle. The officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle and as he did so, the driver said that he had been drinking and had stolen several other vehicles in the past. The officer detained 31-year-old Dakota Melton and then ran the vehicle through dispatch who at the time did not have a report of a stolen vehicle. Dispatch called back soon after that they had just received a call in Vernal of a stolen vehicle that matched the vehicle’s description. Melton shared that he stole the car in Vernal because it was unlocked and had the keys in it. When asked, he said he had had a couple shots of whiskey. Melton failed the field sobriety tests. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Duchesne County Jail. Melton is facing charges for stealing the vehicle, DUI, Driving on a Denied License, and Speeding.
