Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah

Frustrated Resident Arrested After Running Barricade Second Time

Rod Riley

A resident in the area ravaged by the Rockport 5 fire was arrested Wednesday for running through the evacuation barricade set up by Summit County Sheriff deputies.

Due to the fire near Wanship, portions of Promontory Ranch, Rockport Estates and Bridge Hollow have been evacuated and closed.

A press release from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office says that 74-year-old Robert Wiener was arrested after his second attempt to run the barricade.

Wiener first violated the closure Tuesday  night, and he was warned he would be arrested if he tried it again.

On Wednesday, shortly before noon, Wiener accelerated through the barricade, striking several traffic cones and driving past a police vehicle with its emergency lights on.   

Deputies pursued Wiener in a “slow-speed chase’ as Sheriff Dave Edmunds put it.    He was stopped and arrested in the driveway of his home.

Wiener was booked into the County Jail on a felony evading charge.

The evacuation order for the neighborhoods has been extended until at least 6 p.m. Thursday.

Sheriff Edmunds told the County Council that they have tried to allow some individuals up to their homes on a case-by-case basis, to retrieve pets or other items.    But the Sheriff said it’s difficult.

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Known for getting all the facts right, as well as his distinctive sign-off, Rick covered Summit County meetings and issues for 35 years on KPCW. He now heads the Friday Film Review team.