WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A suspect is on the run after he allegedly attempted to rob two separate stores Saturday morning, but the actions of employees at both locations meant the suspect didn’t get the money he was seeking.
Lt. Taylor of the West Valley City Police Department said a suspect entered a Subway restaurant near 5600 West and 3500 South around 9:08 a.m. and acted like he had a gun while demanding money from the employee.
The employee told the man they didn’t have any money, and the suspect fled on foot.
The man then went to a Family Dollar, 4711 W. 3500 South, and demanded money while again claiming to have a gun. The second incident occurred about 10 minutes after the first.
Taylor said the employee at the store told the man to wait while the employee helped other customers who were in line. The employee continued to help customers, police said, and the suspect became impatient and fled without getting any money.
Sgt. Jeff Conger of the West Valley City Police Department said the man fled on foot after this second robbery attempt and said witnesses reported seeing the man get into a white passenger car.
“Demanded money, mentioned that he had a weapon—none was seen, and he wasn’t able to get money here either, and he left,” Conger said of the second incident.
Conger said the suspect didn’t display a weapon but said things like, “I have a gun, don’t make me pull it out.”
The suspect is described as a male who stands about 5-feet 7-inches or 5-feet 8-inches tall and has a thin build. Conger said the man may be Hispanic and was last seen wearing a red hoodie with “Utah” on the front, dark pants and white tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the alleged crimes is asked to call police at 801-840-4000.
