The two men connected to a car theft and high-speed chase through Stansbury Park in late May pled guilty in 3rd District Court Tuesday to amended charges.

Simone Junior Toko, 22, of West Bountiful, was pulled over in Erda on May 24 while driving a stolen Jeep Cherokee. Toko sped away, however, before the officer could approach the vehicle. As the officer initiated chase, he was followed by a newer-model Cadillac driven by Sione Vatuvei, 21, of Salt Lake.

The chase proceeded east down to SR-36, and then northbound until the Jeep turned west down Village Boulevard in Stansbury Park.

Toko eventually abandoned the Jeep on a residential street just north of Village Boulevard and hijacked a Chevy Suburban with a male passenger inside. He told the driver he had a gun and ordered him to drive.

The Suburban and the Cadillac then sped off in separate directions, each being pursued by law enforcement.

The owner of the Suburban fled from his vehicle at his first opportunity, and Toko then slid over into the driver’s seat and continued driving. He drove through adjacent streets for a short time before fleeing the vehicle and continuing on foot.

Approximately two hours later, police caught up with Toko on the same road where he had left the Suburban, and took him into custody.

The Cadillac driven by Vatuvei crashed into a vinyl fence on Village Boulevard and he was also arrested. The Cadillac was registered to a member of Vatuvei’s family.

Both Toko and Vatuvei were booked into the Tooele County Jail. Toko was originally charged with first-degree felony aggravated robbery, first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property, and two counts of failure to stop at the command of police — one a third-degree felony and the other a class A misdemeanor. Vatuvei was charged with third-degree felony aggravated assault and two counts of failure to stop at the command of police — one a third-degree felony and the other a class A misdemeanor.

Toko, however, pled guilty to amended charges of second-degree felony robbery and third-degree felony failure to stop at the command of police as part of a plea deal. He remains in custody and could face up to 15 years in prison.

Vatuvei was released from jail in late June. He pled guilty to third-degree felony failure to stop at the command of police, also as part of a plea deal with the prosecution. All other charges were dismissed.

Both men will appear for sentencing on Oct. 21.

Jamie Belnap: jamieb@tooeletranscript.com