Salt Lake City Man Indicted for Attempted Carjacking with Child in Vehicle

A Salt Lake City man, Zachery Cover, 32, has been indicted on a federal felony count of carjacking after allegedly attempting to steal a BMW with a 7-year-old child in the backseat. The indictment was announced by U.S. District Attorney of Utah, Trina Higgins.

According to Higgins, the incident occurred when the victim, a woman, was driving with her daughter in a black BMW and stopped due to a tire problem. The victim left the driver’s side door open and got out to check the tire. Cover then allegedly jumped into the vehicle and closed the door.
In an effort to prevent Cover from taking the car with her daughter inside, the victim reached through the open window and pleaded with him not to take the vehicle. Court documents state that Cover instructed the victim to remove her daughter and leave, but she managed to open the driver’s side door and pull Cover out of the car.

During the struggle, the carjacking turned violent, with Cover hitting and fighting with the mother. It is alleged that Cover pulled out what appeared to be a gun and threatened the victim. After a second struggle, the victim was able to break free, get into her car, and drive away safely.
The victim immediately called the police, who later located and apprehended Cover. The officers recovered a BB gun, which was allegedly used in the attempted carjacking.

Cover had his first court appearance on September 7, and a two-day trial has been scheduled for November 13, 2023.