Man arrested after vandalism of police cars in Sandy

SANDY, Utah, August 18, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) – A Sandy City police officer driving through the police department parking lot made an arrest after allegedly observing a man damaging a patrol vehicle early Sunday morning.

“At approximately 12:06 a.m., the officer observed a man, later identified as 27-year-old Luke James Bullard, leaning over a police patrol vehicle,” Bullard's affidavit states.

“I noticed what appeared to be freshly engraved writing on the hood of the police vehicle. The vehicle was a black and white police vehicle that was clearly marked with the words 'Sandy Police.'

“I stopped and asked him what he was doing. Luke said we were manipulating him and if we took him to the hospital he would break their necks.”

The officer ordered Bullard to drop a large rock from his right hand.

“Luke refused to drop the rock, walked to the passenger side of the police vehicle and began hitting the window and passenger side mirror. I observed pieces of the mirror breaking off the vehicle. I continued to command Luke to drop the rock. Luke refused to comply and walked toward another police vehicle parked in the same parking lot.”

There was apparently writing on the hood of the second patrol car, according to arrest records.

“Luke walked around the vehicle and began hitting the windshield of the vehicle. I watched as the windshield shattered with each hit.

“I continued to yell orders at Luke to stop hitting the vehicle and drop the rock. Other officers arrived and Luke complied. Luke was taken into custody. Both vehicles had broken windows and mirrors… and a large triangle scratched into the paint on both hoods. There was other significant damage to both vehicles caused by Luke.”

After the Miranda confirmation, Bullard reportedly stated that he was willing to be interviewed.

“Luke admitted to damaging both vehicles and knowing that both were Sandy Police vehicles. Luke has a long history of making threats against police, being armed and violent, and has also fired a firearm in a residence.

“On August 11, 2024, Luke came to the Sandy Police Department intending to kill police officers. During this incident, Luke stated that he wanted to cut off the officers' legs and eat their bone marrow. Luke has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is a danger to the public. Luke mentioned that he wanted his past domestic violence to stop so that he could buy and carry a gun again.”

Bullard was arrested on two counts of criminal damage to property resulting in damage of $5,000 or more, both second-degree felonies, and failure to stop at the direction of a police officer, a Class A misdemeanor. As in all cases, charges will be brought by the District Attorney's Office.

Bullard was ordered remanded in custody without bail.