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SALT LAKE CITY — A security guard was hospitalized with a fractured skull Sunday after police say a shoplifter hit him on the head with a billy club as he fled.

Jason Vaillancourt, 41, attempted to shoplift several items from the Flying J, 2025 S. 900 West, about 5:50 p.m. when he was spotted by a security guard, Salt Lake police said. Vaillancourt ran, striking the pursuing security guard on the head with a long item he was carrying, according to police.

That item turned out to be a billy club that Vaillancourt is accused of stealing from the store, according to a jail report.

The 39-year-old security guard was unconscious as he was taken from the scene with a fractured skull, police said. He was taken to an area hospital in serious condition.

An update on the guard's condition was not available Monday.

Utah Highway Patrol troopers said they spotted Vaillancourt a short time later walking along state Route 201, still carrying the billy club.

Vaillancourt, who was headed east into westbound traffic, ran again, crossing over the westbound lanes as he attempted to evade police, according to the jail report.

As he ran, Vaillancourt allegedly tossing the club into a body of water before the troopers apprehended him. The club has not been located.

Vaillancourt was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated robbery and fleeing from police.

Vaillancourt was charged with retail theft, a class B misdemeanor, and pleaded guilty in December, according to Utah State Court records. The case was handled in 3rd District homeless court where Vaillancourt was sentenced to probation and community service. A warrant for his arrest was issued in March after he failed to pay $7.82 in restitution.

Vaillancourt has not faced additional criminal charges in Utah, according to court records.

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