An Oregon couple is in custody in Utah after what some officials have described as a multi-state crime spree that included carjackings in two states and a shooting in Wyoming. According to Detective Dick Blust of the Sweetwater County Sheriff's office, at around 10:00 AM on Sunday, a Rock Springs family was driving along the Little Firehole Road about 15 miles south of Rock Springs when they spotted a man lying alongside the roadway. He was identified as 54 year old Edmund Thornell of Costa Mesa, California.
At their campsite not far from Flaming Gorge, a dispute arose and Thornell was shot several times. The Fritts left with Thornell's vehicle, a white 1994 Chevrolet van. After a description of the van was broadcast, it was spotted near Evanston on Interstate 80. Authorities attempted to stop the van, but a high speed chase ensued with officers of the Evanston Police Department, Uinta County Sheriff's Office, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Thornell was transported to Intermountain Health Care in Murray, Utah, where his condition is reported as stable.
Roy Fritts, whose full name is Roy Scott Fritts, was paroled from prison in Oregon on June 5, 2011, having served 10 years for two counts of aggravated attempted murder and two counts of unlawful use of a firearm by a felon. He violated his parole not long after his release, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Along with his wife Jessica, who had also served prison time in Oregon for a failed bank robbery, Fritts apparently left that state and the couple surfaced in Nebraska, where, in August, they reportedly stole a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, but were able to elude Nebraska state troopers near Cozad and abandoned the pickup. They began hitchhiking and encountered Edmund Thornell, on his way home to California, who gave them a ride.
At their campsite not far from Flaming Gorge, a dispute arose and Thornell was shot several times. The Fritts left with Thornell's vehicle, a white 1994 Chevrolet van. After a description of the van was broadcast, it was spotted near Evanston on Interstate 80. Authorities attempted to stop the van, but a high speed chase ensued with officers of the Evanston Police Department, Uinta County Sheriff's Office, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Thornell was transported to Intermountain Health Care in Murray, Utah, where his condition is reported as stable.
Roy Fritts, whose full name is Roy Scott Fritts, was paroled from prison in Oregon on June 5, 2011, having served 10 years for two counts of aggravated attempted murder and two counts of unlawful use of a firearm by a felon. He violated his parole not long after his release, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Along with his wife Jessica, who had also served prison time in Oregon for a failed bank robbery, Fritts apparently left that state and the couple surfaced in Nebraska, where, in August, they reportedly stole a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, but were able to elude Nebraska state troopers near Cozad and abandoned the pickup. They began hitchhiking and encountered Edmund Thornell, on his way home to California, who gave them a ride.
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