SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 17, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Unified police are interviewing one suspect and are looking for two more after a rash of robberies at 7-Eleven Sunday night.
A news release from UPD spokesman Lt. Brian Lohrke said the robberies may have been committed by the same group of juvenile males. One suspect was eventually caught by Salt Lake City Police, however two suspects are still outstanding.
The first robbery occurred at the 7-Eleven at 2287 E. 3300 South at approximately 10:45 p.m.
“Three masked suspects confronted the clerk who was smoking a cigarette outside and assaulted him with a black handgun,” the news release said. “One of the suspects held the victim outside the store while the two others stole cigarettes. All three suspects fled south and left in a maroon colored Nissan Altima. Several passerby witnesses observed the robbery take place.”
Two minutes later, officers of the Midvale precinct were alerted to another robbery that had just occurred at the 7-Eleven at 6852 S. State St.
“Two suspects, dressed identical to the previous robbery, entered the store from the south,” the news release continued. “The suspects had a black garbage bag in their hands. One suspect pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money and cigarettes from the clerk. The clerk complied and the suspects were last seen fleeing southbound, on foot.”
Just after midnight, police dispatchers received report of a robbery taking place at the 7-Eleven at 2471 S. 7200 West. It was reported that three men with masks and guns entered the store, took cash from the register, beer from the cooler and cigarettes. The suspects were described as 16-20 years old, one was wearing a black baseball cap with a logo. Two of the suspects were described as wearing red bandannas, and at least one was armed with a handgun.
The suspects in the case matched the description of the suspects from two robberies that occurred earlier in the evening. A short time after the robbery in West Valley City, Salt Lake City had a robbery in their jurisdiction with suspects also matching the same description.
Later in the evening, UPD detectives learned that Salt Lake City Police had apprehended one of the suspects connected to the two robberies, but it’s unknown which of the three.
Detectives are currently interviewing that juvenile, and are also trying to obtain surveillance video from the stores.
The first suspect is described as being age 16 or 17 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 130 pounds, with short dark hair, a darker complexion, gray T-shirt, gray gym shorts and black Nike shoes. He was wearing a red bandanna over his face and armed with a black semi-automatic handgun.
The second suspect is being described as 16 or 17 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, a darker complexion, gray shirt, dark jeans, white shoes and wearing a black bandanna over his face.
The third suspect is described as having lighter colored skin, wearing a red hat and a red bandanna.
UPD detectives are asking anyone with information on the outstanding suspects to call 801-743-7000.
