A 27-year-old man found himself in cuffs after a reported theft at a Salt Lake City Target store this past Sunday. According to SLCPD, Spencer Adamson was arrested after he was caught with drug paraphernalia and a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. As the events unfolded, Adamson, who also had active felony warrants, decided to play an unusual card, he claimed to have swallowed a bag of heroin while handcuffed in the back of a police car.
Adamson's gambit prompted an emergency medical response, potentially diverting critical resources from genuine emergencies. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown was clear in his disapproval of such antics, stating, "This kind of criminal behavior will not be tolerated," as obtained by SLCPD. Chief Brown added, "When someone manufactures a medical emergency to avoid going to jail, they are not just wasting our officers’ time, they are diverting critical public safety resources away from real emergencies."
Paramedics rushed Adamson to a local hospital where he was evaluated and monitored. His vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, remained stable thus allowing medical staff to ascertain his stability and release him back into police custody. The incident, which began at around 6:39 p.m., led to a four-hour delay from the time when officers first responded to the crime scene.
The aftermath of the ruse saw Adamson booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail close to 10:30 p.m., facing charges of possession and use of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Additionally, given the officers' determination that he likely fabricated his medical emergency, he now faces a charge of emergency reporting abuse. It is important to note, however, "Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless, and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," as per SLCPD.
