5 arrested in West Valley City alleged-kidnapping case that escalated into SWAT standoff

WEST VALLEY CITY — A tip of a possible kidnapping sent to police on Saturday evening ended in five arrests after a SWAT team entered a house to retrieve a man and child.

The West Valley Police Department reached out to Salt Lake City police at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening asking for help in arresting a noncustodial parent who had possibly kidnapped a 2-year-old child, Salt Lake Police Lt. Lisa Pascadlo told KSL on Sunday.

Police made contact with the suspect, 24-year-old Francisco Yanagui, at his residence on 713 N. Starcrest Drive, where police say he resisted arrest.

“Numerous family members came to his aid, to the point that officers had to remove themselves from the situation and allow him to retreat into the house,” Pascadlo said.

When Yanagui kept the 2-year-old with him and refused to leave the house or submit to custody, the officers called the SWAT team to negotiate, Pascadlo said.

Negotiations failed and the SWAT team entered the house and successfully retrieve the child unharmed, Pascadlo stated. The child has since been reunited with their family.

Yanagui was arrested for investigation of kidnapping, violating a protective order and resisting arrest, Pascadlo said. Three additional adults and one juvenile in the home were also arrested for investigation of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.

According to court records, Yanagui was previously charged with child kidnapping, assault and interfering with a peace officer in December 2020.