SALT LAKE CITY — A suspect who police said was involved in five different robberies around the Salt Lake valley, confessed to the crimes Friday.
Drew Aaron Smith held up a Seagull Bookstore, two dry cleaners establishments, Ma Paws Bakery and a Game Stop, according to a press release from Salt Lake City Police. The robberies occurred during the time span of March through July.
During three of the five reported robberies, Smith threatened the victims with a knife.
During a robbery at Seagull Book, 1140 Brickyard Road, on March 20, Smith claimed to have forgotten his wallet when he approached the counter, the press release stated. The suspect then had second thoughts and demanded money from the cashier instead.
The during the thefts at Heritage Dry Cleaners, 909 E. 2700 South, and Clean Express Dry Cleaners, 2945 E. 3300 South, the suspect allegedly posed as a customer coming in to pick up clothes.
The dry cleaning thefts, which took place March 29 and April 16, Smith took cash.
Smith robbed the Ma and Paws Bakery, 1227 E. 3300 South on May 28, according to the press release.
Smith allegedly claimed he was from Texas. When he approached the counter to buy an item and claimed to have forgotten his wallet, he then told the cashier to give him all the money in the cash register.
Smith’s lost robbery allegedly took place July 22 at the Game Stop, 2263 S. Highland Drive. The suspect stayed in the store ’til nearly closing time then demanded the cashier to empty the cash register.
Smith reportedly wore a purple hat with the letters TCU on the front during a few of the robberies.
Unified Police served a search warrant on Smith residence where they recovered a hunting knife, the purple hat and video games.
Smith was interviewed by Unified police and allegedly confessed to the five robberies.
