SOUTH SALT LAKE, UTAH – September 3, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Thieves pistol whipped a disabled South Salt Lake veteran and taped him to his wheelchair before ransacking his home for an hour.
South Salt Lake Police said two armed men entered Dwight Hahn’s apartment at 200 East 3440 South through an open door early last Monday morning.
The suspects were captured on surveillance video walking towards the apartment. Police said one of the suspects can be seen with who had a gun-in-hand. When inside the apartment, both pulled out handguns and started to make demands. After pistol whipping the 66-year-old amputee, the suspects told the victim not to look at them; then bound his hands and taped him to his motorized wheel chair.
The suspects ransacked the apartment and forced Hahn to give them the combination to his safe. The suspects loaded the victim’s vehicle, a Ford Explorer, with electronics, personal belongings, medication and personal checks; then drove away leaving the victim bound to his wheelchair. When a neighbor found him, the victim’s face was bloody from a laceration on his forehead.
“They took my medication, two TVs, my computer, my printer,” said Hahn. “A disabled veteran and they took advantage of me that way. I was pissed off they were robbing me and threatening me. Damn sure it wasn’t patriotic. They outta be in prison for a long, long time.”
Hahn has lived in the apartment for the past 15 years, but now is wondering whether he should leave. “Everybody wants me to move because they fear for my life,” he said.
The armed suspects were described as males, armed with handguns, wearing hooded sweatshirts, baseball caps and gloves. The victim’s stolen Ford Explorer was later recovered at Hillsdale Park in West Valley City; the stolen property is still missing.
Within hours of the robbery, the victim’s credit cards were being used across the Salt Lake Valley by three females. The females were seen driving a dark colored, possibly green, Toyota Paseo with no visible license plate or temporary tag.
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify all the suspects. South Salt Lake police spokesman Gary Keller said they are receiving tips and possible names, and are currently working on leads. “There’s been a lot of outcry in social media,” he said. “People are shocked, you just don’t do that to a 66-year-old veteran.”
If anyone knows the identity or the whereabouts of the suspects please contact South Salt Lake Police Dispatch at 801-840-4000. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.
