The Provo Police Department announced late Wednesday evening that Solomon Lee Johnson, of Orem, was taken into custody without incident by “a multi-agency team of law enforcement officers,” according to a press release.

Johnson, 42, was sought by the department as a suspect in an aggravated burglary that occurred at a residence in Provo on July 19. The search for Johnson was complicated Wednesday when a press release — not connected to the department — was sent to multiple news outlets.

“We have learned that a personal press release was sent to various media outlets yesterday afternoon. We wish to clarify this was not a Provo City or Provo Police approved release. The investigation is ongoing, and involves multiple agencies that are working around the clock to find the suspect,” Public Information Officer Jana-Lee Holland said in a statement to the Daily Herald.

Holland was unsure how the unauthorized release would impact the investigation, adding that additional details of the case would not be released.

Also on Wednesday, police arrested Johnson’s girlfriend, Chante Lynn King, of Provo, for obstruction of justice.

While still a teenager in 1999, Johnson pleaded guilty to capital murder, potentially avoiding the death penalty, for the shooting death of Wilber Canales, according to prior media reports. He was given a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

“I know what I did was horrible and wrong. I’m willing to do my sentence of life in prison,” Johnson said at the time. “There’s nothing I can do to bring back the life I took. I’m sorry.”

He was granted parole in August 2021.

“We would like to thank our detectives, officers and partner agencies for their tireless hard work and dedication over the past 6 days while investigating, and locating this dangerous suspect,” the Provo PD stated in its press release.

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